Even though winter is in full swing right now, there are some things you can plan to do to protect your roof before winter comes back. Below are three tips on how you can do this to help you get started in making these changes.
Inspect the Roof
Your roof is the main thing that gets hit by Mother Nature. Snow, ice, high winds, and more can cause a lot of damage, especially if you have an old roof. If you have asphalt shingles, check to be sure there is no kind of damage. Even something as small as a loose shingle can turn into something much worse and cause water to leak into your attic and eventually into your home. Look for shingles that have lost their roofing nails and are hanging loose or for any shingles that may be broken. Small problems can be easily fixed, but if you find a lot of damage when you climb up on your roof, call on a roofing contractor for help.
Prevent Leaks on a Flat Roof
If you have a rubber roof, winter can take its toll on it. This is because anything that falls on it sits, as there are no slopes. Eventually, you could have a leak, especially if there are any type of openings in the roof, such as a roof vent.
To help with this problem, you can put a synthetic rubber material over the flat roof. This gives it more protection, and ice and snow will not bother your roof. The synthetic rubber works well because it comes in a roll and is rolled onto your roof with no seams. No seams mean no water leaks. You should not attempt to install a rubber roof yourself, however. Instead, hire a roofing contractor that is experienced installing synthetic rubber material on a flat roof.
Keep it Clean
No matter what type of roof you have, make sure it stays free of debris, such as small limbs and leaves. Water can collect where there is a pile of debris, and the water will not slide off the roof. Over time, this can result in damage to the roof.
If you have trees near your roof and tree limbs hang over it, contact a tree trimmer to trim the tree back until the limbs are away from your roof. Limbs not only drop leaves but they may also fall during a storm with high winds.
The best time to provide your roof with this maintenance is during the fall months. Check out websites like http://www.stevensroofingcorp.com for more information.
Do you know how to tell if you have problems with your flashing, loose shingles, or damaged tar pitch? Well, I didn't either until I experienced some of those issues on my own. One day, I realized that my roof was leaking and that I needed to find a solution fast. After contacting a professional roofing company, they were able to solve my troubles and teach me the signs of trouble. I want you to avoid the same types of hassles, which is why my blog is filled to the brim with information about roofing and home ownership. You never know, these tips could really come in handy!