Tips for Winter Roof Maintenance

Now that Old Man Winter has come back to town, it's the time to take a look at the maintenance on your roof to help ensure you don't suffer a leak or any other problems during the cold months.  Check out the tips below that may benefit every homeowner.

Check Your Gutters.  Your gutters are an important part of the roof because they allow the water to flow away from the surface of the roof before it could potentially cause any damage.  In winter, the gutters are more likely to be clogged with leaves, snow, ice and could become blocked if they are not cleaned out.  Grab a ladder and a friend to help clean out any leaves, debris and dirt from the gutters.  Flush out the gutters with a hose after to ensure they are clean.  In the event that your gutters have become damaged or leaky, you can use a sealant or fiberglass resin to patch up the hole.

Trim Back the Trees.  If your home has a lot of trees or vegetation hanging above the roof, it may be a good idea to trim back any branches before the winter months.  It may just be barely touching your roof right now, but should it become weighted down with snow or ice or blown by wind, it could do some damage.  If you plan to hire a tree service company, contact a few different contractors to obtain a different quotes so you know that you are getting a fair price.

Inspect Your Roof for Weak Spots.  An inspection on the roof can save you from a lot of roof damage.  Start by doing a visual inspection of the inside and outside of the roof.  Look for any missing shingles and make sure that the gutters are allowing the water to drain away from the roof.  This can be done by simply walking around your home with a pair of binoculars.  Should you notice anything that looks suspicious, you can hire a professional to take a better look.  They have the experience and know what to look for, so they could find a weak spot and fix it right away.  A roof inspection will cost you, but it is a lot cheaper than paying for a new roof.

These are just a few maintenance tips that you can perform in order to safeguard your roof and your home during the winter season.