As summer comes to an end and temperatures begin to cool off, it’s time to start preparing your roof for those long winter months. Taking the right precautions ensures that your roof isn’t damaged from snow and freezing temperatures, helping you save money and extend your roof’s lifespan. Below, we’ll discuss how you can prepare your roof for winter, as well as the best time to perform roof maintenance.
Winter Preparation Tips
Follow these tips to prevent and identify any issues with your roof so you can address them right away.
Examine Shingles
Although you can get on your roof to inspect your shingles, American Roofing advises that you do so safely. Better yet, contact us, and we’ll perform the inspection for you.
Clean Your Roof and Drainage System
Old, damaged, or defective rain gutters can cause a lot of damage. When a gutter clogs, the water is not diverted properly and overflows into either the house or the foundation. This can cause wood rot, foundation problems, and landscaping erosion. Additionally, a rain gutter clogged with soggy leaves or other debris is the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, as well as mosquitoes and other pests.
Check for Leaks
You’ll want to carefully check your roof for leaks before the first snowfall, which includes checking flashing and fastenings. This ensures that water isn’t entering your home in the middle of winter and saves you the time of attempting to repair it in freezing temperatures and heavy snow. There are a variety of reasons leaks form, and they take a definite toll on your home. Should you notice a leak, contact American Roofing so we can resolve the problem.
Inspect Your Attic
This is one step that you may overlook when preparing your house for winter. Make sure your attic has proper installation and ventilation and is free from leaks and pests in order to protect your roof, keep your home warm, and save on utility costs. Additionally, keeping your attic and shingles colder during the winter months prevents ice dams from forming, which can cause expensive damage.
Get a Professional Inspection
Getting a professional inspection from a certified roofer is one of the best ways to prepare your roof for winter. They can easily detect small problems and resolve them before they become worse. At American Roofing, we’re experts in residential roofing and know how to best prepare your house for fall and winter months.
How Late in the Year Can You Replace a Roof?
Of course, it’s best to replace your roof when you have time to prepare for the expense, but sometimes emergencies happen and you may need to replace your roof in the winter months. Most roofing companies work year-round, so roof replacement is possible during the winter. While roofing can be done in cold weather, it’s important to note that shingles need to undergo thermal sealing, which can take longer if you live in an area that’s regularly below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Contact American Roofing for Professional Roof Winterization
Make sure your roof is prepared to handle snow and freezing temperatures by contacting American Roofing. We’ve performed thousands of roof repairs and replacements across Utah and are committed to keeping your roof strong. Contact us today to get a free quote or to schedule an appointment.
About the Author: Andrew Yorgason
