You completed your fall checklist. You are still wearing your favorite sweater with no heavy jacket over it and enjoying pumpkin–spice and everything fall nice. You also live in the Midwest. So, you know it is almost here. Winter is coming. And ice. And wind. And snow. You need to start planning for the winter season and all that it brings.
Winter is not just defined by weather, of course. Winter brings a reason to slow down and enjoy our homes. It brings an excuse to drink hot chocolate while staying under a soft blanket on your couch. It is the memory of coming into a warm kitchen after playing in the snow as a kid and the feeling of love that can bring.
Winter also brings the holiday season! As you prepare your holiday to-do list of hanging holiday lights, creating spectacular displays in your yard, and decking out that deck in everything festive, include the part of your house that Santa really needs in working order. Your roof! Prevent the weather outside from compromising the environment inside. Most importantly, stop reindeer mishaps!
Take these 6 easy steps to avoid winter roof problems:
Make sure your shingles are in good shape. Be on the lookout for broken, frayed, curled or missing shingles. Look for clogged roof valleys. A roof valley forms where two roof slopes meet. Look for damaged flashing. Damaged flashing can fail to rebuff water properly, causing damage to your home’s siding. It can also cause water damage to shingles in low spots or near areas where flashing is used.
Make sure you clear leaves, pine needles, dirt and other accumulated debris from the roof. Homecleaning.com has a list of the Top 15 Best Roof Cleaners to Buy in 2020. Pay special attention to debris in the infamous roof valley to avoid costly cracks and leaks.
Inspect your gutters one last time. Clear your gutters of leaves and other debris to prevent clogging. Bobvilla.com has a list of The Best Gutter Cleaners for Removing Debris. Having clean gutters will also allow melting snow to drain properly.
Inspect your trees one last time before winter sets in and make sure you do not see overhanging branches. If you do, cut back those branches to prevent damage to shingles and gutters from the winter winds. Popularmechanics.com has an article to help you figure out if a tree limb is about to fall.
Make sure to check your attic ceilings for staining from water leakage. Staining can be an indication of roof leaks. It is also a good time to think about ice dam prevention. The best way to prevent an ice dam is to ensure the entire roof temperature is the same as the eaves. You can do that by increasing ventilation, adding insulation, and sealing off any possible air leak that might warm the underside of the roof.
According to Bobvilla.com, a roof rake can be an important piece of winter equipment. Wet snow can weigh as much as 21 pounds per square foot, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Heavy snow can cause structural damage to your roof. A roof rake allows you to remove potentially damaging snow while you stay safe on the ground.
At Dynasty Restoration, we know that even a completed to-do list cannot always prepare for what winter brings to the Midwest. Dynasty Restoration has services for any type of storm damage that may come your way so that you can get back to enjoying a warm, cozy home this winter. Here is to a mild winter and a happy holiday season!
