There are several ways that the cold weather of winter can damage your roof. Strong winds can blow off your shingles and damage your gutters. They can pick up debris and throw them at your roof with great force. Heavy rains in winter can damage your shingles, gutters, and downspouts while creating the perfect conditions for mold growth.
Here are some simple yet effective ways to care for your roof in winter.
Inspect Your Flashing
Visually inspect your flashing at regular intervals to make sure it isn’t loose or warped. Watch out for signs of flashing damage such as mold growth, warping, wrinkling, missing pieces, worn shingles, and corroded flashing parts. If your flashing is faulty, have it fixed as soon as possible or water can enter your roof.
Clean Your Roof
If you let debris such as leaves, pine needles, stones, and tree branches lie on your roof, they can rot and damage your roof. To protect your roof from damage, periodically clean it along with your gutters and downspouts. Choose a cloudy day for roof cleaning. Steer clear of harsh chemicals as they can do more harm than good. Instead, use a homemade cleaning solution such as a mixture of bleach and water. Spray your roof with the solution and let it sit on its surface for several minutes before rinsing your roof.
Care For Your Gutters
Your gutters prevent water damage by directing rainwater away from the foundation of your home. Over time, gutters can become clogged with debris. Clogged gutters are unable to drain properly and can overflow during a bout of heavy rain.
Here are some gutter maintenance tips:
- Clean your gutters regularly
- Check the slope of your gutters
- Replace or resecure loose hangers and spikes
- Repair leaks along the seams or end caps.
- Install gutter guards
Schedule Professional Maintenance
Knowing how cold the winters can get in Sonoma & Marin, it’s a good idea to have a professional inspect and maintain your roof before winter hits in full force. There are several benefits of professional roof maintenance. A roofing contractor has an eye for detail and is able to notice subtle signs of roofing problems that DIY enthusiasts often miss.
Regular professional maintenance addresses current problems before they snowball into major issues and can save you money down the road. Well-maintained roofs are more reliable and last longer than the poorly maintained ones.
Don’t Forget Your Attic
A poorly ventilated attic can cause the roof to deteriorate faster. Make sure your attic is properly ventilated. Seal up every hole and crack in your ceiling and fill all gaps between and around the insulation. Be careful not to cover your vents with the insulation.
Whether you want to install a new roof or replace an existing one, ARS Roofing & Gutters can help. Our unparalleled ability to develop customized roofing solutions for our customers sets us apart from other roofers in Marin & Sonoma Counties. To learn more, call (707) 584-5900.