Top Tips to Prevent Roof Damage from the Weather

Roofs have to endure a lot of damage throughout the year. No matter how resilient your roofing material is, it’s vital to ensure that some proper preventive measures are taken before winter sets in. If you observe these precautions now, you’ll save yourself a lot of worry and expense at a later date.

These tips will help protect your roof from damage and won’t take up much time. Here’s what you should do before the winter arrives.

Cutting the Tree Branches 

Winter storms can be harsh on your roof, especially if there are trees nearby with large branches spread over the roof. These branches can collect snow and become heavy and risk damaging your roof. If they break off and fall on your roof, they can damage it. Small branches might just dislodge a shingle or two, but they can also cause leaks and other such problems.

Big branches can wreak more damage and force you to spend hundreds of dollars in repairs. It’s a good idea to cut the branches off the trees on your property before the winter sets in. Damage caused by tree branches happens more often and can be more serious than most people realize. 

Heating Cables 

Problems like ice dams, water accumulation, etc, can cause your roof to leak and other such issues. If the roof isn’t properly ventilated and the heat causes snow and ice to melt, it can lead to a problem commonly known as ice dams.

Ice dams are solid blocks of ice that form on the edge of the roof and don’t allow water to reach the gutters and drain away. While heating cables won’t be able to address this problem completely, it can minimize it. With heating cables, ice dams are only likely to form in extremely cold winters.   

Moss 

Most people consider moss relatively harmless; some even like it and find it appealing. People are generally under the impression that moss is just a problem with the aesthetics. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Simply put, moss stores water and eventually reaches a saturation point. Once it does, the water starts to penetrate the roof structure and damages it. This can lead to structural damage, leaks, and, other such problems. It’s a very good idea to clear the moss from the roof before winter.

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Gutters and Downspouts 

One of the most frustrating problems during winter is that of ice and snow blocking the gutters and the downspouts. This can lead to drainage problems in the roof and eventually cause leakages and other such issues. Before winter, you need to clear all the fall foliage and other debris that might have accumulated in the gutters and the downspouts.

You can install heating cables here to keep them clear of snow and ice. It’s vital to clear the fall debris before installing the cable. Not doing so can be a fire hazard. You can prevent ice dams and other such problems by clearing the gutters and debris from the roof regularly, even during the winter. 

Roof Inspections

Roof inspections can prove to be a lifesaver if you get one completed before winter. An inspector will check the health of the shingles, check the flashings, see if the roof has proper drainage, and see if the ventilation and insulation is working well. If you identify any vulnerable spots and repair them before the winter, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and money down the line.

It’s also very important to keep an eye out for leaks and damage during the winter months. If you follow all of these steps, you’ll keep roof damage and problems at bay.