Ways to Maintain Your Roof Before Winter
Winter is the ultimate test for any roof. People often overlook this primary line of defense a building has against nature. The membrane of a roof extends in hot weather and contracts in the cold. These variations in your roof’s membrane are a critical reason to maintain it properly.
Even typical temperature changes between daytime and nighttime are more rigid on the materials and structures of your roof in the cold season, especially with the presence of water/ice or snow on the top. Ice dams may form where cold and warm roof surfaces meet, and ponded water anywhere on your roof can cause damage to membranes and other roofing components as it freezes, thaws, and refreezes.
It’s time to start winterizing your roof in the fall. Membrane deterioration, clogged drains, ponding water, and debris can lead to significant leaks throughout the winter. Understanding the risks and getting a complete roof inspection might help you avoid many of these leaks. How will you safeguard your business function without any significant roof difficulties by preparing your roof?
These are some ways to prepare for the winter:
Review Your Roof’s History
You have to understand your roof’s history. It includes the age of your roof, the status of your roof’s maintenance, and its last inspection. It’s critical to understand your roof’s maintenance history so that your roofing professional can properly inspect your roof.
Although specific visible and possible symptoms of roof concerns, such as ceiling stains, can be detected, it is preferable to have your roof prepared for the winter by a qualified roof contractor. The roofing contractor must examine all the structures, seams, flashings, roof membranes, and rooftop equipment.
Schedule an Inspection
It’s critical to arrange a roof check before the first frost and again in the spring. Regular roof inspections boost the likelihood of spotting minor roof issues before they get larger, more complex, and considerably more costly. Most manufacturers require a roof check by an authorized roofing contractor to preserve your roof’s warranty, and it’ll save you a significant sum of money by spotting issues early.
A roofing contractor will examine roof traffic patterns, drainage systems, and flashings and look for pollutants, moisture penetration, illegal or incorrectly built new roof openings, and defective roof membrane seams during a roof inspection. In coastal areas, you might need to install coastal zone access panels to protect your critical utility areas from moisture or corrosion damage.
Maintain Clean and Clear Roof Surface and Gutters
Your roofer should ensure that your roof and gutters are clean and free from debris during an inspection. Make sure all garbage, leaves, and branches are gone. Your roofing contractor may inspect your roof regularly and keep it clean of anything that doesn’t belong there.
Do the Recommended Repairs
You must undertake the required roof repairs to halt leaks, clean roof drains and gutters, and repair and prevent issues. It is among the most critical sections of your structure.
Repairs made on time will save you money from a whole roof replacement, increase the life of your roof, and lessen the likelihood of having to deal with an unexpected leak that may develop underneath snow or ice-covered roof membrane.
Inspect the Roof’s Surroundings
Are there any tree branches dangling on your roof? Trim them down if that’s the case. Branches dangling over your roof are a danger. Snow adds weight to branches, which can cause them to break and perhaps puncture your roof’s membrane. Even the best preventative maintenance may not be enough to protect your roof from harsh weather or strong winds. However, being proactive and having a strategy is preferable to having no plan at all.
Pay Close Attention to the Caulking
Caulking is adequate, but it isn’t indestructible. It will ultimately need replacement due to wear and tear. Wrinkled, crumbled, or absent caulking are all signs of poor caulking. Re-caulk any places that are weak as quickly as feasible.
Fix the Flashings
Certain roof elements, such as vents, dormer windows, chimneys, skylights, and HVAC systems, are under the flashing’s protection. Check to see that the flashing’s installation is in excellent condition and functioning correctly. Replace any broken or damaged flashing and those that are loose or missing.
Plan for a Snow Removal
A rooftop covered with snow creates a stunning winter view. Although a reasonable amount of snow on your roof is no problem, massive snowstorms that deposit heaps upon mounds of snow on your roof are alarming. It’s a good idea to make a strategy for clearing considerable snow accumulation before these storms hit.
If you consider the height of your roof, a roof rake should be capable of handling the worst of it. Many roofing contractors, however, provide snow removal services for rooftops that are more difficult to access.
It’s a wise move to consult a roofing specialist once you’ve taken a careful look at your roof and identified any problem areas to figure out the remedies for the winter. These experts can do the repairs and replacements with the help of the information you know. Your roof will be winter-ready when that job is complete.
