How to Prepare Your Roof this Winter
Every year, the roof above our home handles different types of weather. Whether it’s rain, snow, sleet, or ice - it protects us and our loved ones from the outdoors. As the community of Andover prepares for the winter season, it’s important to start preparing the exterior of your home for the cold weather — that’s why we suggest getting a jumpstart on your winter-to-do-list before the holidays kick into high gear.
Sealing windows and preparing your roof for ice dams may be a little less fun than sipping hot cocoa and singing “Jingle Bells”, but taking care of your roof and home will help protect you and your family from the outdoor elements. As your friends and neighbors, at Doherty Insurance, we’ve put together a list of tips to help prepare your roof for the winter.
Ensure the Gutters are Clean
This is an essential first task for homeowners. Why? Because beginning with outdoor duties before the snow or rain will save you from working in the cold temperatures. We suggest grabbing a ladder, bucket, and some work globes to clear debris from all your gutters. Leaves and small branches can clog them, and with some added freezing rain or snow, can cause leaks or a backup of rain.
Check Your Roof Shingles
Shingles can experience wear and tear over time, especially if the roof is older. Loose and missing shingles can lead to a number of problems that can be difficult to deal with during the winter. If you’re thinking this is a problem that can be tackled later on, think again. Missing shingles can lead to serious unexpected repairs, such as leaks or complete roof replacements.
Inspect Your Attic
Ice dams are huge walls of icicles that prevent water from running off of your roof. These can be prevented with proper ventilation, insulation, and an ice and water shield for the roof. Are you wondering how you can detect signs of ice dams? Check your attic. Make sure your attic is the same temperature as outside, to ensure that the ventilation is working, and keep an eye out for any condensation. Getting rid of excess moisture buildup will ensure melted snow running down won’t freeze at the edges.
Check your Roof Flashing
Have you heard of roof flashing? Roof flashing provides protection for different areas of your roof and works in conjunction with your roofing material. Flashing is applied to roofing corners and valleys, as well as objects that jut out through your roof. If you don’t check your roof regularly, this can lead to expensive repairs. Roof flashing helps protect your home from water damage, and if not inspected properly, damaged roof flashing can lead to water leaking to the infrastructure of the house.
Your friends at Doherty Insurance don’t want you to worry about roof damages, leaks, or high heating bills to pay. As we get closer and close to the peak of winter, we want to ensure our friends in the community are prepared for anything. Taking these few steps for the winter could help you feel much more at peace as you enjoy the holiday with your family. However, accidents do happen and we are here to help.
Contact Doherty Insurance to learn more about home insurance and we will make sure you have the proper coverage in place.