Prepare Your Roof for Winter
Ensuring the roof is prepared for harsh winter weather is one of the most crucial winterization procedures. Before winter, basic roof maintenance jobs should be done to keep your house cozy and avoid costly ice dam and leak repair costs.
Missing Shingles
If not addressed before winter, missing, broken, and loose shingles can expose a property to roof leaks and water damage. Water will ultimately seep below and enter your home if your shingles are damaged. Strong winter gusts might sweep away any unsecured shingles.
You can probably repair the few missing or broken shingles if they are nearby and aren’t too difficult to reach. Employing a professional roofer to complete the task is preferable if your roof has several damaged places and you are uncomfortable working on the top.
Flashing
Roof flashing is frequently disregarded despite being a crucial element of a well-maintained roof. Pay close attention to the area surrounding the chimney, the roof valleys, and the overhangs. Two of the most frequent locations for ice dams to form are overhangs and roof valleys. If comfortable working on your roof, you may replace or repair flashing and follow safety procedures. If not, call a roofing expert.
Caulk Sealant
Check the caulk/sealant around vent pipes, chimneys, and counter-flashing, which is sheet metal inserted at the connection where walls and roofs meet. The point of it is to help divert water away from that junction to stop it from becoming flooded.
Things will shrink in the winter when it gets cold, and caulking might get separated or split if it’s old and dry. Crucial junctures in your roof will remain waterproof and dry because the new caulking will have the ability to expand and contract when it has to deal with Indiana’s cold weather.
Once fully cured, the new caulk is elastic and keeps its seal better. Just be sure you get rid of any old caulking first. Scrape it away with a screwdriver, taking care not to puncture or pierce the flashing or roofing membrane behind it. Re-caulking is a simple DIY project if you’re prepared to go on the roof.
Trees
Trimming the trees surrounding your roof is an important activity that may prevent roof damage during the winter snow, ice, and winds.
While you may adore those trees, you must prune the overhanging branches since they represent a hazard to your roof. A single heavy blizzard might break off a limb above your home, causing catastrophic damage to your roof.
Gutter clean up
While not technically part of the roof, cleaning your gutters and downspouts is one of the most vital maintenance activities you must complete before winter. Clearing them avoids obstructions, which can lead to damaging ice dams on your roof throughout the winter.
