Protecting Your Roof During The Winter Months

Winter months are burdensome on homes, especially on roofs. As snow piles up and solidifies into heavy blocks of ice, it puts heavy weight on your roof, easily leading to structural stress. And this is even worse if your home comes with a flat option. Also, your gutters can get clogged the longer the snow stays on your roof, preventing it from sliding off if you have a steep roof. Heavy snow can also cause shingle damage and roof collapse. So, as it's winter time, here are some tips to protect your roof and prevent costly damages. 

Get rid of encroaching trees

Your rooftop isn't the only place snow can build up during winter. If you have trees on your compound, you can expect their branches to become quite laden with snow. And if any tree branches reach as far as your roof, the weight of the snow can cause the branches to break and cause damage to your roof. It's important to cut down weak or loose hanging branches, as strong winter winds can whirl them onto your roof or through your window. You can always contact experienced tree removal companies like STC to help you get rid of encroaching trees. 

Check your insulation

Poor insulation will not only affect the warmth of your home's interior during winter but can also lead to ice dams forming on top of your roof. Moreover, as the warmth from your interior reaches your ceiling, it can warm your roof. And the longer your roof warms, the harder it becomes for snow to solidify into ice on your roof. That's because snow falling on your roof will melt, making it easy to slide into your gutter. And this is where the problem is. And this leads to the next point.

Clean your gutter regularly

Snow that flows into your gutter will freeze eventually, piling up in the process and weighing down your gutter. Aside from the weight, the frozen snow will become ice dams, blocking the gutter and preventing water from flowing off your roof. Instead, the water will seep into your building and cause dampness and other water damage. You can prevent the formation of ice dams by cleaning your gutters regularly. Get your ladder out and inspect them as often as you can, always making sure that there's enough for water to flow unobstructed. 

Check for missing or damaged shingles

Missing or damaged shingles can significantly impact your roof during the winter. These shingles are designed to protect your roof from the elements. Therefore, when missing or damaged, they can allow water and snow to seep into your roof. That can lead to problems such as leaks, mould, and rot. Additionally, if they are on a sloped part of the roof, snow and ice can accumulate in these areas, leading to ice dams. Missing or damaged shingles can also increase the likelihood of high winds causing damage to the roof, as the roof's structural integrity is compromised. Therefore, inspecting and replacing these parts is essential. Fortunately, you can contact professional roofing professionals for the best results.