Roof Damage Prevention Tips Before Winter

Roof damage prevention is important because Texas weather has been known to change quickly from sweltering and sunny days to wet and cold ones. Are you ready for it? Better yet, is your roof ready for the winter months? One of the most vulnerable parts of your house is your roof, which can sustain damage from wind, snow, ice, heavy rains, and fallen trees. Failing to make needed repairs is one reason your roof can fall prey to the winter elements.

Different types of severe weather can put added stress on roofs, from high-speed winds ripping off shingles, heavy debris and ice getting caught in gutters, to the weight of excess snow. Read below our helpful tips about roof damage and ways to prevent it.

5 Roof Damage Prevention Tips

Tip 1: Check Your Roof

Check for any roof damage. Pay attention to surface bubbles and areas with missing gravel on flat roofs, or missing or damaged shingles or tiles on sloped roofs. Leaks can eventually damage the wood sheathing and rafters below the shingles, leading to thousands of dollars in repairs. If you have binoculars, they will help you to spot cracked, curled, or missing shingles safely from the ground.

Contacting a professional roofing contractor to check your roof may be an easier option. Be sure to have the flashing around chimneys that helps prevent water penetration, skylights, and roof valleys for leaks, and the rubber boots near vents for cracks that can let moisture seep into your home.

Add extra insulation in the attic to guard against ice dams. When too much heat escapes, it can melt the ice and snow on the roof. When it refreezes, it can cause an ice dam, causing water to back up into your home causing damage to your walls.

Tip 2: Clean Your Gutters

Clear gutters and downspouts of debris. As the leaves fall, be sure they are not building up in the gutters. Gutters that are stuffed with leaves, pine needles, and other debris can let water spill over the side, pool around your home’s foundation, and seep inside. Water that freezes in gutters can force snow and ice into roof shingles, causing damage and leaks. Hiring a professional to clean your gutters in the fall and spring would be well worth it.

Tip 3: Trim Your Trees

Trim trees and remove dead branches so they will not damage your home if they fall because of wind, ice, or snow.

Tip 4: Clean Your Chimney

A wood-burning fireplace or stove may be cozy, but creosote buildup can block the flow of smoke and cause chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition, even unused chimneys can develop cracks that weaken the structure. If your chimney has not had a recent inspection, schedule one before you use your fireplace for the first time this winter. Check out Chimney Safety Institute of America for industry-certified chimney sweeps and check Better Business Bureau for complaints.

Tip 5: Get Rid of The Pests

Termites will eat your house. They cause more than $5+ billion in property damage each year. These home wreckers are light-colored and are rarely seen, except when they swarm in early spring. Call a professional exterminator if you see wood that is soft, blistered, or darkened. Other signs include mud tubes inside or outside the house, especially around the foundation. Go to Pest World to find an industry-certified exterminator.

Carpenter ants destroy wood by tunneling inside it. They are normally black, though some are red or a combination of the two colors. You will find them crawling around the inside and outside of your house as they search for moisture. Spring and summer are their busiest times, but they can keep munching on wood throughout the winter if temperatures are warm enough. If you see or hear them (they sometimes make munching noises in the walls), call in a pro. Also, cut back branches and plants from your house. Move firewood and other stacked timber away from your house, and seal any cracks.

Quality Roofing Shingles

We use the top roofing shingles available. Consumer Reports tested various roofing shingles and came up with a list of the highest-quality roofing shingles. We have been installing the same quality shingles for years. We do not cut corners or buy seconds.

• GAF
• Malarkey
• Owens Corning
• Certain Teed
• Atlas

If your roof needs replacing, or you need a new roof, consider impact-resistant roofing shingles such as Class 3 or Class 4. Fort Worth and surrounding counties often get pounded by hail during hail seasons.

Summary

Prevent roof damage and protect your home by practicing these helpful tips.  Do not let winter catch you in the cold with a damaged roof! Call Northwest Roofing, a professional and experienced roofing company.