Winter Roof Maintenance Tips | From The Roof Experts

Living in Saskatchewan, you know your roof will take a beating in the winter. Heavy snowfall and high winds can cause severe damage. Every homeowner knows how essential their roof is and the importance of caring for it. Roof maintenance is essential all year, but performing winter roof maintenance tasks will save you a lot of money and stress come spring. If you want to keep your roof and home safe during the winter months, follow these roof maintenance tips for the Saskatchewan winter!

Remove Snow As Soon As Possible

Snow on your roof might look picture-perfect, but it can also cause serious problems. If you're lucky, the snow will only have a minimal impact on your roof, but if it's a particularly heavy snowfall, it can weigh down the shingles and cause leaks and ice dams. Once you notice snow building up on your roof, you should remove it as soon as possible. The best way to remove the snow from your roof is by using a plastic shovel or rake (don't use metal; it can damage your roof). To remove ice dams, you can use hot water or roof ice melt tablets (not road salt, which will damage your eavestroughs). Both of these methods work best once the snow has been removed. If you don't have the tools or don't want to climb up a ladder in the winter, call a professional! Either way, one of the best ways to keep your roof safe this winter is by ensuring snow isn't building up on it.

Check Your Flashing and Shingles

Flashing is the metal or plastic piece that covers the joint between the roof and walls of your home. Flashing is essential because it prevents water from getting in through those joints and keeps water from leaking into your home. However, flashing can be damaged by weather and time. Check your flashing for damage as you check your roof's general condition. Look for chipped areas or cracks that allow water inside. If you let snow and ice build-up around damaged flashing, you will get a roof leak. The same goes for your shingles. Check for any cracked, lifting or missing shingles. If you find any damage, contact a professional to fix it immediately! 

Check Your Gutters

When it comes to your gutters and downspouts, you need to ensure they are clean and clear of debris. Clean gutters will help prevent ice dams from forming and causing a leak in your roof. It's also essential that your gutters are free of holes or cracks, as this can lead to water leaks as well. Check inside the gutter for leaves, twigs, sticks or other debris that may have blown into them during the fall months. If there is any debris inside of your gutter then it should be removed immediately! You should also make sure that ice and snow has been cleared off of the tops of all roofs and downspouts so water can flow freely. Clogged eavestroughs can cause severe damage to your roof and home in the winter, so make sure you don't skip this step!

Check Your Attic Insulation and Ventilation

You may not know this, but the performance of your attic is directly linked to the performance of your roof. Attic ventilation and insulation are essential to keeping your roof in good shape. If your attic is not insulated and ventilated properly, it can lead to ice dams. When checking your attic ventilation and insulation, it is important to check for leaks, debris and signs of mould. If you find any of these problems in your attic, you likely have a roof leak and should have it fixed as soon as possible. 

Get a Professional Roof Inspection

A professional inspection will help ensure that your roof is in good shape, properly insulated and ventilated, flashed correctly and secured correctly. You can perform a roof inspection on your own, but having a roofing contractor inspect your roof will ensure no problems are missed. Another benefit to hiring a professional roofer for an inspection is that they can usually fix minor issues right away. When you hire a roofing contractor for an inspection, you will also get peace of mind knowing everything is checked properly and repaired safely. This way, you won't have to worry about the condition of your roof!

United Roofing & Exteriors Can Help With All Your Roofing Needs

The winter season can be tough on your roof, but with these tips and the help of professionals like our team at United Roofing & Exteriors, you will have no problems. If you run into any roofing problems this winter, we're here to help! Whether you need help with winter roof maintenance or repairs, we're here for you! Contact United today for all your roofing needs!