Essential CT Roof Maintenance Tips For Winter

Although snow is beautiful to look at from the inside on a cold winter day, it is an enemy to your roof's wellbeing. When snow begins to pile up, it can become a heavy burden for your roof.

It is always better to try and prevent winter roof damage rather than have to repair it after thousands of dollars worth of damage has been done. It's essential to regularly inspect and maintain your roof to avoid issues and hazardous situations when the snow piles on, and it will (whether you want it to or not)! As CT roofing experts, we recommend inspecting your roof twice a year, once before winter hits, and once again after winter has passed to check to make sure your roof weathered the winter safely.

When you are inspecting your roof, there are a few things you should look out for:

Damaged or Missing Shingles

Any issues with damaged or missing shingles can prove to be not only a problem for your roof, but can contribute to other issues for your home. A damaged roof can lead to unwanted leaks in your roof that can trickle down to your attic and eventually rot the wood beneath. This is an especially large problem in winter as the water gets under the shingles and freezes causing further damage to your roof as it expands.

Blocked or Broken Gutters

If you didn't get a chance to inspect your gutters during the fall, it's important that you take a look to ensure they are in proper working order before the heavy snow comes. Gutters that are blocked or clogged by debris can prevent water from running off your room, causing further ice freezing damage to your roof. This can even damage your gutter system, which in turn can also prove to be a costly expense for any home owner.

Winter Weather Roofing Blues

If you do happen to find any damage to your roof or its individual components, you should call a Connecticut roofing contractor to assess the damage as soon as possible. By doing this, you can have your problem repaired or replaced before any other issues arise.

If you happen to notice any issues during the winter months, you should never assume that you should wait until the spring to have anything looked at or repaired. Most roofing contractors are still able to do home assessments during the winter season. If you can't get a contractor out right away to look at your roof, put a tarp over the damage area to prevent further damage!

4 Quick And Easy Ways To Make Sure Your Roof Is Safe

1. Keep your roof clean. Debris is one of the most common leading causes of roof damage and leaks. Make sure you clear your roof of leaves, branches, and any other junk that can get lodged up there!

2. Trim your trees! If you have any tree branches that could potentially fall onto your home, make sure you trim them back so they can't fall and damage your home, or become stuck into your gutter system. After all, snow can become heavy when it's hanging on a branch.

3. Clean your gutters. If you haven't cleaned your gutters, it's of vital importance for the health and safety of your home. Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, which can cause major issues for your attic and even your upper floors.

4. Add insulation to your attic. A well-insulated attic can prevent unwanted roof leaks. Escaping heat from your attic can help to melt the snow on your roof essentially causing the leaks you don't want to have!