Winter is here; fortunately for homeowners here in the north it isn’t too late to protect their roofs against the damage the season can bring. Below is a simple guide for homeowners to follow in order to protect their roofs from damage while helping to lower overall energy bills.
One of the most important things that you can do for your home during the spring and fall seasons is to clean out the gutters around the home. The gutters will take a thorough beating throughout the winter if accumulated debris builds up. Not only will the gutters crack, split and start to peel away from the roof the winter weather can wreak havoc on the trim and siding because of damage being done to the homes gutters.
Gutters that become clogged are not effective in letting water runoff drain from the roof. The most often resulting in ice dams which if left untreated can turn into leaks within the interior of the home. It is crucial during the winter season that the gutters stay free of debris to allow the water to flow and divert the water away from the home protecting the home inside and out.
Debris doesn’t only wreak havoc with the homes gutter it also can cause damage to shingling. Extra fall leaves left building up on the roof retain moisture and then will freeze and thaw throughout the season. This process will eventually lead to cracking and a reduced life expectancy to the asphalt shingling on the roof. It is important to trim trees that hang over the homes roof. The constant back and forth of branches scraping on the homes roof can lead to wear thus wearing away the materials that the roof is composed of. This can lead to roof damage and leaks.
It is important that homeowners take time to repair damage to a home’s roof before the winter weather strikes. Small cracks in shingling will only become extreme issues if left to go through the freeze, thaw, and melt cycle that occurs throughout the winter. These issues turn from small, minor repair issues into expensive full roof replacements depending on the strength of the winter storms that occur throughout the season.
Another aspect of maintenance to perform on roofing before the winter season is in full swing is to re-caulk joints and flashing that is showing signs of wear. These areas on a roof are already highly susceptible to leaking. The winter weather adds another element of wear to an already fragile point on the roof.
Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs. You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.