Preparing your home for the winter months ahead is very important. Many people take care of the water hoses and the sprinkler systems to prevent frozen pipes. They also take care of sealing up around the doors and windows so heat doesn’t escape. Yet commonly overlooked areas that do need attention are the roof and the gutters. With proper maintenance, they can help you to get through the winter without serious damages and expensive repairs.
Roof Inspection
Don’t wait until you have water leaking into your home or you see shingles in your yard to do something about that part of your home. A roof inspection should be done in the fall when it is still warm enough for you to take care of issues. Get on the roof yourself or hire a professional to check it out.
Look for shingles that are missing, buckled, or broken. Look for areas where there seems to be a great deal of damage. Feel around for indented area as they can be a serious problem with the winter moisture. Those areas can allow snow and water to accumulate rather than to run off the roof. The weight of them is going to cause damages to your roof. They can even cause the supporting joints under them to rot.
Look for signs of damages such as mold or mildew. Lichen may develop due to the moisture in the area where you reside. You want to remove such signs of trouble because they can cause serious problems later on as they continue to spread. Make sure there aren’t any tree branches that hang over the roof either.
During the colder months, they can cause more water and snow to accumulate on your roof. There is also the risk of the branches breaching in the high winds and landing on your roof. It is best to keep them several feet from your home for safety.
Roof Repairs or Replacement
If there are problems discovered with your roof, you have to decide to repair or to replace it. There are pros and cons of both. While repairs are going to cost less and take less time, will they hold up? You don’t want a quick fix that isn’t going to be reliable through the worst possible scenario for winter.
It may be a good time to replace the roof if it hasn’t been done in a very long time. There is quality materials out there today designed to last for a very long time. Hire a professional who also offers a warranty on the work.
Gutter Cleaning and Inspection
Not cleaning your gutters is a big mistake when it comes to getting your home ready for the winter months coming soon. Remove all of the debris as leaves, dirt, sticks, and more can get caught up in there. Sometimes, you may discover bird nests have been made in the gutters. When the water can’t drain, it stays on the roof and will cause damages. You can clean out most of the debris with your hands. For more difficult items, you may have to use some tools to loosen it up.
You can hire a professional to take care of cleaning them if you wish. The process won’t take them long and it is affordable. They can also investigate the quality of the gutters and let you know if anything needs further attention.
Gutter Repairs or Replacement
If your home doesn’t have gutters, you need to get them added before winter. Otherwise, the water drips off and can form dangerous ice in your driveway and along the sidewalks. It also increases the risk of water damage to your foundation.
Gutters need to be sturdy so repair anything that is loose or shows signs of damages. Make sure your downspouts have a long enough extension on them to keep all water from your house. If you take care of your roof and gutter needs in the fall, they are less likely to give you issues to deal with in the winter.
Tyler Walters is a freelance writer who has been in the construction field for over a decade. For more roofing tips visit their website www.xcaliburgroup.ca.
