5 tips to get your roof ready for winter

Getting your roof ready for the winter time is something that many often forget to do. It's important to remember that winter weather is harsh and can cause damage to your roof more than you think. Ensuring your roof has been prepped for the winter months is something that will help maintain the longevity of your roofing system and help it to stay in it's best shape for much longer. Here are a few tips on how to get your roof ready for the upcoming winter months:

1. Inspect Your Roof

One of the best things you can do in order to get your roof ready for the winter time is to complete an inspection. Walk around, up, and down your roof checking it thoroughly from all sides. Look all around especially at vulnerable areas such as vent pipes, valleys between shingles, gutters, or any other items that could be impacted by ice buildup. Check any skylights or air conditioning units as well because they have a tendency to leak due to cold temperatures. If you notice any cracks or dents in the

2. Clear all debris from your roof

Debris such as leaves, twigs, pine needles and bird droppings can cause problems for you during the winter months. Clearing these items off of your roof will help keep you warm in the winter because it reduces the amount of heat that is lost through your roof. Debris may also clog gutters which could result in water damage to whatever is below the gutter line. The best thing to do to make sure everything runs smoothly this winter is to clean up all debris on top of your home before fall turns into winter.

3. Inspect screws or nails that hold down shingles

Sometimes shingles slip causing gaps between each one; if there are gaps too much wind and water can get through. The best thing to do is inspect them and make sure no nails or screws are missing because you don't want any shingles falling off your roof during winter time.

4. Replace broken or old vent pipes

Vent pebbles that have been damaged by hail, extreme weather, or leaks should be replaced as soon as possible. Vent pipes that leak will cause mold to grow on the interior of your house which could pose a serious health risk to anyone living inside of it. When vent pipes begin leaking air conditioning units tend to freeze up in colder temperatures too; this only adds more problems for insulation all around your home causing heat from escaping out of cracks in the walls and windows which will also be an issue. Therefore, replacing old vent pipes will save you money down the road from having to replace your air conditioning unit and any mold that may have grown on the inside of your home as well.

5. De-ice gutters/downspouts

Make sure all gutters and downspouts are clear of snow, ice, leaves or debris before winter comes. Gutters are very susceptible to freeze damage because they are exposed to below freezing weather conditions for long periods of time; therefore it's important to make sure they haven't frozen over already before it gets cold out. If you notice water pooling around your gutter line simply turn on a garden hose and run it through them for 10-15 minutes in order to help keep them cleaned out and drip free.



It's important to remember that winter is coming sooner than you think; if you want your roof in the best condition possible for many years to come it's best to get an inspection, clean up any debris and make sure all shingles are secured properly before fall turns into winter. The more work you do now the less money and time you'll have to spend in the future if something goes wrong. Remember these easy tips this year so you can get a head start on preparing your home for winter weather. For more information feel free to contact one of our professionals at any time!