How to Prepare Your Attic and Roof for Winter

There are a lot of things to consider when preparing for winter. Your attic and roof are one of the things you should prioritize when the colder months get closer. While many people may not give much thought to their attic and roof during winter, preparing your attic and roof for winter is very important, as it can save you from spending on excess heat and future repairs. Below we will discuss how to prepare your attic and roof for winter, and why.

Inspection
The first step in preparing your attic and roof for winter is going up to your attic and doing a visual inspection. While you may want to hire someone to inspect your roof, you are fully capable of inspecting your own attic. You can look for signs of pests, cracks and leaks, mold, and poor insulation.

Once you’ve finished your inspection you’ll know exactly what you need to fix to prepare your attic and roof for winter. Plus, doing an attic inspection can give you insight into how your roof may need fixing. For example, if there’s a lot of moisture or a water leak, it probably means your roof needs attention. 

Insulation
Checking your attic insulation is vital to making sure you aren’t losing excess heat in the winter months. If your attic isn’t properly insulated, not only will heat escape, but it can cause a number of problems. For example, poor attic insulation can lead to moisture buildup. When warm, moist air from your home reaches your attic and roof temperatures are lower, it causes the moisture to condense, causing a buildup in moisture and eventually rot and/or mold.

If you’re unsure whether your attic is properly ventilated, check out the temperature after the sun is down, it should be roughly equal to the temperature outside.

Cracks
Cracks are another way you can waste energy on heat and AC. Check your attic for any cracks, big and small, and fill them with caulk. It should be easier to identify and fill cracks in your attic during the daytime when the sunlight can expose them. 

Ventilation
The most important issue to address when preparing for winter is ensuring your attic has proper ventilation. Like a lack of insulation, improper or poor ventilation can easily lead to a build-up of moisture in your attic. As warm moist air builds up in your attic from your home, it condenses to create mold, rot, fungus, and more.

In addition, a build-up of warm moisture can cause snow on your roof to melt, causing ice dams. The best way to address this problem is by getting an attic fan. Having an attic fan will remove warm, moist air from your attic and replace it with dry, cool outside air.