10 Tricks to Help Reduce Roof Damage This Winter

Whenever winter season comes, homeowners should prepare their roofs for the cold and snowy months ahead. Keeping your family safe and secure all winter long can be achieved with the proper preparations and steps.

Inspecting and preparing your roof for the winter should be part of home maintenance tasks and should be prioritized.

Here are ten of the best tips you can apply to protect your home from roof damage as the mercury drops this winter.

1. Clean and Repair Your Gutters

Gutters are an essential part of your roofing system, and they can help guide melted snow down and away from your roof and home foundational structure.

You need to clean clogged gutters from leaves and debris to prevent water pooling and ice dam formation.

2. Remove Debris from Your Roof

A dirty roof can cause all sorts of problems, especially during wintertime. Tiny objects can do some damage once they are tossed around by the strong winds.

Bundles of stacked leaves can lead to mold and mildew problems if left alone. Before the first snowflake falls, make sure you clear your roof from potential issues.

3. Get Rid of Mold and Mildew

If you notice that green, yellow, or black shine on your shingles, you may have a mold problem on your hands.

Apart from the nasty smell, mold can damage your shingles and the sheathing underneath it.

Call your trusted roofer for mold remediation steps you can take.

4. Call a Professional for Inspection

Walking on your roof is a risky undertaking. Aside from physical danger to yourself, you can also cause unintended roof damage while moving around.

With the advent of new technologies, roofers now utilize drones to inspect shingles and other areas of concern.

5. Replace Broken or Missing Shingles

If you want to prevent moisture from leaking into your home during the cold season, you need to replace broken and missing shingles on your roof.

Preventive maintenance is always a good idea to prevent costly roof repairs in the future.

6. Reseal Around Skylights, Piping, and Fixtures

Whenever you install a new appliance on your roofs, you need to make punctures like a vent or cable antenna. These openings have the potential to introduce water into your home when not sealed properly.

Check for damaged flashing and other materials that may serve as entry points for water during winter. Reseal them and protect your home from water damage.

7. Solve Pest Problems

Trees are a lovely sight all over Maryland, but they can also bring pest problems that wreak havoc during the winter season. Squirrels, bats, mice, and rats would love to nest in a warm place once the temperature drops.

You need to cover all entry points to protect your home from these unwanted visitors.

8. Trim Trees Near Your Roof

Tree branches can get loose due to strong winds during summer storms. When left to themselves, they can damage shingles and cause problems to your roof.

Have your trees trimmed by the professionals before the cold weather sets in.

9. Keep Interiors Insulated

There are instances when roofs get damaged from the inside. Interior moisture can build up inside your home and cause beams and supports to rot and decay.

Have your home appropriately insulated to prevent structural damage from happening.

10. Inspect Sidings for Signs of Damage

Lastly, damaged sidings can affect the overall performance of your roofing system. Ask your roof contractor to check if your panels are securely in place and are ready for any snowstorm.

Xpress Exterior Design Helps You Prevent Roof Damage in Winter

Water damage is no joke. Roof leaks may cost you $400 to $1,100 to remedy, add to that replacing water-damaged electrical wiring, ceilings, insulation, and other appliances in your home.

Not all homeowners can perform all the steps mentioned above for roof damage prevention during winter.

Xpress Exterior Design can help you with all your winter roof preparation needs. Our goal is to keep your family safe and warm all winter long.

Fixing roof problems can add to your home’s energy efficiency and lets you enjoy lower energy costs all winter long.

The best time to schedule an inspection is before that first snowflake falls. Give our expert technicians a call or send us a message on our website.

We would be happy to discuss your roof damage prevention plans for winter and give you a quote on how much you would spend.