3 Roofing Maintenance Tips for Winter

Winter’s high-speed winds and heavy snowfall can be unkind to your roofing system. Shingles can curl or become dislodged, while moisture can seep through the openings and corrode the substrate underneath. Prepare your roofing system for winter’s challenges with essential winter maintenance. Before calling a seasoned roofing contractor that specializes in repairs, below are ways to care for the installation during the winter. 

A Guide to Winter Roofing Maintenance

1. Improve Attic Insulation

Poor attic insulation can lead to ice dams. When heat escapes through the attic, it will melt the snow and ice on the roof above. The water will refreeze when it trickles down to the colder roof perimeter. This will keep happening until a pool of water is behind a thick barrier of ice. Standing water will saturate and corrode the system, which can lead to leaks inside the house. Install more insulation in the attic to prevent heat loss that causes snow and ice to melt quickly and form ice dams. 

2. Repair Damaged Flashing

Typically made of galvanized steel, flashing consists of metal placed around roof vents, chimneys, and other protrusions. The sheets are also placed on dormers and other areas where surfaces connect to roof planes. Flashing directs water away from these vulnerable areas so the liquid can reach gutters. Fluctuating temperatures can cause roof materials to expand and contract. 

In turn, this can cause flashing to pull away from the roof. When the panels aren’t in place, water can seep through the gaps and seep into the house. Have a roofing contractor inspect the membrane and replace the worn flashing. A technician can also replace missing shingles to keep water and pests out of your house. 

3. Trim Tree Branches

Tree branches hanging over the house should be trimmed back before the next winter storm. When snow and ice accumulate on branches, the strain can cause the limbs to snap. When the branches are cut back, they won’t break and crash into the roof. Mice and insects won’t be able to use the limbs as walkways to gain access to the roof either, which could prevent infestations inside the house.

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