Ways to Prepare Your Roof for Winter

When you think about outdoor home maintenance, you likely think about spring and summer. Those seasons are sure to keep you busy, but winter is actually one of the harshest seasons on your home’s exterior. Preparing your home, and especially your roof, before winter starts is a great way to improve the efficiency of your home and avoid costly repair bills through the winter months. 

Clean Your Gutters

The first step to preparing your roof for winter actually starts with your gutters. Gutters that are full will lead to ice dams and water that backs up onto the roof, which can turn into a leak and risk the integrity of your roof. Use a ladder and some gloves to clear debris out of your gutters. Once you think they’re clean, use a hose to run water through and ensure there’s no remaining blockages. 

Assess Damages 

Look at your roof from the outside and from the inside of your attic to assess any damages that may have happened since last winter. Shingles that are cracking, bowing, or rolling at the edges are considered damaged and will need to be repaired or replaced. If light shines through into your attic, that’s another sign that damage is present and needs to be repaired. If you don’t feel confident in your ability to spot roof damage, hire a professional to come do an inspection. 

Be Proactive 

The best way to prepare your home for frigid winter weather is to be proactive. This means anticipating the things that could cause problems for your roof this winter, and fixing them before it becomes an issue. Some of the ways you can be proactive include: 

• Attic insulation – insulating your attic lowers the risk of water turning to ice on your roof and helps to improve the heating efficiency inside the home. 
• Trim trees – any trees that hang over your roof are a potential for disaster. Large limbs that are weighed down by ice and snow could easily fall, causing some serious damage to your roof. Trees over your roof are also sure to drop leaves, sticks, and other debris that will quickly clog up your gutters.
• Add a sealant – adding a sealant to your roof is not a necessary step, but it sure is helpful! Sealant helps protect your roof from winter precipitation and leads to a longer-lasting roof over time. 

If you have questions or concerns about preparing your roof for winter, contact a roofing expert today! Our team at Brown Bros Roofing is ready to help.