Getting Your Roof Ready for Winter

Once leaves start to fall and the weather gets cooler, we know that winter is just around the corner. When this happens most people go outside to rake the leaves from the floor and start to decorate their house.

Although cleaning the yard and decorating the house is great, most of us forget about the roof. Since the roof is the only barrier that stands between your family and harsh cold weather, it’s recommended to follow the following tips to keep your house warm and cozy all winter long. Here are some tips that G and Bros Roofing, a local roofing company in Salisbury MD, recommends you do before winter. Some of the items might require a small roof repair to survive winter.

Check the Roofline

The very first step that you should do is to look at your rooflines. The rooflines should be straight. If it is not straight but instead dipping, curving, or sagging, further inspection is recommended. Any of these problems could be caused due to framing issues or a damaged roof deck. During winter, your roof will be exposed to harsh rain and snow, stressing your roof even more.

Inspect Chimney Flashing

The following place that is recommended to inspect would be the chimney, especially the chimney flashing, which is a strip of metal that seals the junction of the roof and the chimney. The chimney flashing is one of the most common leak points on the roof.

If the flashing seems loose, or damaged, or the caulk is cracked, call a local roofer in Salisbury MD to further inspect the chimney for leaks.

Inspect the Attic For Water Damage

The main area that will show if leaks are present is the attic. Once you are in the attic inspect the roof deck from the attic. If the plywood seems warped or has dark spots, these might be signs of current leaks.

Also, if you have exposed insulation, it can show signs of leaks. If your insulation is darker, shrunk, missing, or damp, these are signs of current leaks present.

If you find any of these issues, call a local roofing company like G and Bros Rooofing LLC to further inspect the roof.

Clean Roof

Even if there are no signs of leaks, it is still recommended to clean the roof of all debris, twigs, leaves, and other trash that should not be on the roof. This can safely be done with a leave blower if the roof has a steep pitch or by hand if your roof is relatively walkable.

Clean Gutter

Just like the roof, gutters should also be cleaned from all leaves, twigs, and debris. If this is not done, it can cause clogs, sagging, or gutters to fall off. In addition, if a clog is present, it can cause leaks due to water flowing back up under the shingles.

If you want more tips for Gutter Maintenance, click here.

Trim Branches

Trimming your low-hanging branches near the roof is also recommended. During winter, we have strong winds and storms that might snap branches off and damage your roof. Aside from winds, the snow build-up on the branches can also snap the branches. Therefore, trimming the branches can save your roof from being damaged during winter and the rest of the year.

Get Your Roof Professionally Inspected

If you have any concerns about your roof, schedule a professional roofer to conduct a roof inspection. The roofer will be able to find any existing problems with your roof that are not visible to an untrained eye. Any problem is recommended to be fixed before winter to ensure a safe and comfortable winter.

G and Bros Roofing LLC is a local roofing company in the Salisbury MD area that will help you identify any roof problems, provide a roof estimate, and help you in getting your roof ready for winter.