Is Your Roof Ready for Snow?

Winter is on its way, whether you like it or not. And in many cities across this great nation, it has already arrived even though the calendar hasn’t yet hit December 21.

An often overlooked, yet important part of preparing for the winter season is ensuring your roof is ready for the snow and cold. This is especially important if you reside an a location that receives significant snowfall.

Getting your roof ready for the winter isn’t as difficult as you may think, and doing so will extend your roof’s lifespan. If you’ve already experienced roof leaks or damage caused by damaged shingles or ice dams, you already know how expensive it can be to repair this damage. The good news is, these problems are preventable and you can start by following the tips below to get your roof ready for the snow.

  1. Clean
    In the mid-to-late fall, you should start winterizing your roof by cleaning it thoroughly. Clean off any leaves or fallen tree limbs. Beginning at the top of your roof, use a push broom and work your way down. Be very careful when you’re up there working. If you feel uncomfortable about getting up on your roof yourself, you should hire a professional roof contractor to come do it for you.
  1. Inspect
    Inspect your roof for shingles that are:

Loose
Missing
Curling
Broken
Lifting
Cracked
Damaged

You might be able to see some of these problems from ground level, but most will require you getting up on your roof.

  1. Replace
    Address any problems with your shakes or shingles immediately. If it’s a minor issue, you can replace damaged shakes or shingles and match the original shingles.
  1. Proper Attic Ventilation & Insulation
    In the colder climates, ice and snow will accumulate on rooftops naturally as winter goes on. Your heat can flow into your attic through the ceilings due to poor insulation. The heat then becomes trapped in your attic, radiating through your roof materials. When snow accumulates on the heated sections of your roof, it will melt and flow down until it finds its way to the section of your roof that’s below 32 degrees (F). When this occurs, it causes ice dam formation, which can cause extensive damage to your roof and walls of your home.The way to keep your attic cool is through proper attic ventilation and you’ll still keep your house warm with properly installed insulation. Another thing you may want to consider to ensure proper ventilation is install an attic fan, like the SmartAttic Roof Mount Fan. An attic fan will keep your attic and roof from becoming warm to the point it allows radiated heat to melt the snow and create ice dams.
  1. Indoor Inspection
    Once you’ve cleaned your gutters and rooftop and have inspected it, go back into your attic and inspect your ceiling for water damage. If you notice water stains on your ceiling, it could indicate poor roofing insulation and you’ll want to fix this issue before winter as well.