Winter can be harsh on your health and your roof. In fact, according to the Insurance information institute, winter storms caused $15.1 billion in insured losses during the first half of 2021. Keeping your roof safe is a year-long endeavor, but it becomes extremely challenging during winter. You need to be vigilant of the smallest cracks because if you run into serious roof damage, you’ll be looking forward to freezing winter nights. But through proper care and roof maintenance, you can avoid paying a cold price in the freezing season.
Keeping Your Roof Safe During Winter
You may think your shingles can wait till spring before they need to be replaced. But the sub-freezing temperatures can cause more harm than you might expect. For that reason, we are sharing our tips for winter roof maintenance.
Inspect Your Roof
You can either do it yourself or hire a top-tier roofing contractor. The latter would be a better option because you don’t have the equipment or experience to spot roof damage. Roofing experts can predict how winter would affect a small crack in your shingles. Moreover, they’ll assess the stability of the structure and its foundation. If there’s any leakage or chances of collapsing, the roofing contractor will inform you beforehand.
Thoroughly Remove Snow
Snow on the rooftop might look gorgeous, but it can wreak havoc if left unchecked. Snow presses your roof downwards with its weight, and if you let it collect, you are adding more weight to your roof. But that’s not the only problem. If snow remains dormant on your roof, it can create a snow dam.
A snow dam is a condition where snow melts during the day but doesn’t drain. As a result, when the temperature falls at night, it re-freezes and blocks the gutter. Moreover, ice dams can weaken the shingles causing minor cracks that can expand due to moisture.
Removing snow from your roof as quickly as possible is the best way to prevent winter roof damage. But given the condition, your roof will be slippery. So if you don’t want to endanger yourself, you should reach out to professional roofing Philadelphia services.
Prepare For Winter Winds
Snow isn’t the only threat to your roof during the winter, as cold winds are equally menacing. When you hear about a snowstorm approaching, your first step should be securing the shingles on your roof. If you notice any loose parts or a crack, immediately call your local roof maintenance service. If you leave small cracks unchecked, they can expand due to moisture and high winds, and one of two things might happen.
- Your roof will start leaking as the snow melts during the day.
- Mold and mildew will infest the open area causing indoor breathing problems.
Trim Trees Before Snow Comes
Before the first drop of snow lands on your roof, you should have all the overhanging trees and branched trimmed off. This is because leaves that fall from the tree can either collect moisture and lead to mold infestation or block your gutters. As snow falls, the leaves blocking the gutter are covered, and there is no way to clean them. Therefore, when the snow melts, it adds more pressure on your roof because the gutters are clogged.
Ensure Your Attic Has Sufficient Insulation
You might not believe it, but your attic is directly connected with your roof’s lifespan – especially during winter. Because if your attic isn’t properly insulated, it’ll collect moisture which will turn into a mold infestation. Moreover, ice dams love to form in the attic because it has appropriate temperatures. Therefore, when performing your pre-winter inspection, ensure your attic has proper ventilation and insulation.
When All Else Fails, Call Top Tier Roofing
If you live in Philadelphia, the weather can be harsh. Therefore, you need a reliable roof maintenance company on your side. Top Tier Roofing can fix your roof in no time. Our services include gutter installation, roof replacement, roof repair, siding installation, and shingle installation.
We handle commercial and residential projects with years of experience in the roofing industry. If you are looking for a trustworthy company to help you through winter, you can reach out to Top Tier Roofing by contacting us or calling us at (267) 481-8772 for a free estimate.