How to Winterize Your Roof

The wintertime can be brutal on asphalt roofs, as valuable as they may be in general. The heavier the winter, the more difficult it is for you to go without needing roof repairs. Of course, some of the issues that your roof may experience could depend on the type of winter you experience in turn. For example, wet snow is heavier than fluffy snow, with six inches of wet snow being equivalent to 38 inches of dry snow. But no matter what type of winter you experience, there are ways that you can winterize your roof and prepare for the challenges that come with cold weather.

1. Check For Damage

Firstly, you need to check for damage ahead of winter. If you go into the wintertime with damage, it will only get worse over time. You don’t necessarily need to have your roof inspected by a professional before wintertime, but you should make sure that there isn’t any visible damage that you need to have repaired. In the meantime, you may also want to check your gutters. If your gutters are blocked, melting snow won’t drain and will block them, turning your gutters into safety hazards.

2. Inspect Nearby Tree Branches

If there are any branches hanging over your roof, you need to check them before winter. Weaker limbs could become weighed down with ice and snow, falling and damaging your roof. You may want to trim your trees preemptively ahead of the wintertime. It will be much more difficult to do so once it gets cold.

3. Inspect Your Attic

If you have an attic, you need to inspect it as a part of your roof winterizing efforts. Make sure that the attic is properly ventilated, as it could develop mold and mildew over the winter. Not only can this ultimately cause weakness within your roof, but it can also cause health problems in your home.

4. Check for Interior Damage

Are there water stains on your ceiling? This could be indicative of leaks, which in turn indicate a level of weakness within the roof. Make sure that your home has been checked inside and out for obvious signs of damage before declaring your roof winterized.

Winterizing your roof may seem tedious, but it’s extremely important. Make sure that you’re ready for the winter, that your roof is safely prepared, and that roof repairs are taken care of.

Did You Know?

Wet snow is considerably heavier than dry, fluffy snow. In fact, six inches of wet snow is equal to the weight of about 38 inches of dry snow.