As the fall starts to end, the days get colder, and the nights get shorter. This means that winter is knocking at the door. Winter is famous for extreme weather conditions, and it does many things to your home and your roof. Weather-related problems usually hit homeowners during the winter. Roofing issues, condensation, and ice dam formations are some of the challenges homeowners like you might face at this time. It does not pay to wait until winter before you take action to protect your home. The best time to take remedial action is right now in the fall.
We have already stated that fall is the best time to prepare for the winter. However, home maintenance in the fall is not a magic bullet. If you have carried out all the necessary repairs and maintenance before the winter, you might still have one or two issues cropping up during the winter. Now, you have no reason to feel bad because you can solve these problems easily.
One of the aims of this post is to discuss maintenance tips to help you get through the winter without much trouble.
Roof Maintenance
The first thing you should do is inspect your roof for deterioration, and if you notice anything amiss, you fix the problem immediately. During the cold winter months, you need to be even more vigilant. Always look out for any signs of ice dams or icicle build-up, especially after a snowstorm or a windstorm. Use a rake to get rid of excess snow build-up and ensure that your downspouts and fascia are not clogged with debris, dead leaves, snow, and other unwanted materials.
Flashing and Chimney Repair
If you notice leakage or droppings on the roof around the chimney area, this means the flashing of the chimney is leaking. This could damage both your chimney and your roof, so you have to take action immediately to avoid complications. Get in touch with a great roof repair company and have them assess both your roof and your chimney. You might be able to do this yourself, but it is best to contract the job to an expert. This way, you have peace of mind.
Shingles Repair
If you have shingles that use metal fasteners, you have to be careful when you get them repaired. Shingles can be replaced or repaired at any time of the year. However, this process is delicate, and it requires both skill and experience. The person doing the job for you has to be very careful so that the roofing material does not break or crack. Even if you think you can do this job, it is better to hire an experienced and competent professional. If you insist on practicing your DIY skills here, you might be doing more harm than good in the long run.
Gutter Repair
Gutters are among the most underestimated parts of the entire roofing system. They play a vital role in keeping your roof safe and free from damage. For this reason, you should always keep your gutters in first-class shape all the time. You should inspect your gutters often and replace them as soon as you notice any damage. In particular, you should look out for blocked gutters. If your gutters are blocked, they won’t get rid of water properly, and this could lead to huge problems for you down the line. Blocked gutters mean that water will be flowing all around your house, and this could lead to wet and weak walls and even damage to your foundation. Clearly, you don’t want any of these things to happen to your building, so you should find a way to keep your gutters clear. This will save your roof and ultimately save your home.
Attic Repair
If you notice any sudden and unexplained leaks in your house, it might be because of the attic. In the cold winter months, your house produces a significant amount of heat during the day. This heat escapes through the roof of your house. The problem here is that this process weakens the insulation of your attic with time. When snow starts to melt on the roof, the result is a bit of leakage from the roof. It is your duty to inspect the insulation in your attic regularly. Once you notice a leak here, it is an indication that it is time to re-do the insulation. Do this immediately and ensure you get a competent hand to handle this for you. If the process is properly done, you will not have to cope with leakage and other roofing problems.
Tree Maintenance
You need trees to beautify your house and give it that natural look. You also need trees on the grounds of your home because they give you better air quality.
However, trees can pose a hazard to your roof, especially when a big tree with large branches is hanging over your roof. The smart move here is to get experts to trim the tree so that those branches don’t fall on your roof one day. In case trimming the tree will not work, you should consider removing the tree completely. Plant trees in your compound,
but ensure the branches are far from your roof. A constant stream of leaves and small branches falling onto your roof is bad for the structural integrity of your roof.
Roof Replacement
In case you have to replace your roof completely, you have to get the advice of an expert before you proceed. This is because roof replacement has a lot to do with the type of roof you have. If you have a roof made from metal or wood and shingles, you can replace it at any time of the year. On the other hand, if you have a flat roof made of rubber, you can only replace it during the spring. As you probably know, the adhesives used with flat roofs are temperature-dependent. This means they could freeze in winter, and you will end up wasting time and money.
The tips above are my humble contributions to the topic of roof repair and maintenance in winter. In case you are facing more serious problems, you should contact your local Ottawa roofers immediately.