Is Your Roof Ready for Winter? [5 Easy Steps]

As many homeowners know in Colorado, our winters can be unpredictable when it comes to weather, and making sure your home is winterized is an important task. Knowing your roof is the biggest line of defense against harmful weather, and it is important to make sure you are prepared for all outcomes.

At Foothills, we use only the highest grade quality materials to protect you and your family this coming season. With top name brands such as Malarkey, who prides themselves in high-performance, sustainable roofing shingles engineered with rubberized asphalt technology, hail, wind and snow won’t stand a chance. Malarkey Roofing Products offers a family of shingle products designed with a goal of sustainability in focus through each step of the product’s life cycle. From a shingle’s manufacture to the end of its service life, Malarkey shingles are created for superior performance, reliability, and limited impact on the environment.

Here are five easy steps you can take to prepare your roof for winter weather:

Clean the Gutters

When leaves and debris collect in your gutter system, eventually, it will create a clog in the downspouts. Rain water will overflow the gutters, damaging your roof, trim and siding. The added weight of the wet leaves and water could also cause your gutters to pull loose from the anchor point or collapse.

To prevent these problems and unforeseen repair costs, make sure to keep your gutters relatively clear through the fall. And, once the trees around your home are bare, do a thorough cleaning. You can also get out ahead of the fall season and have gutter screens or guards installed to prevent the collection of debris in the first place. We recommend Master Shield gutter protection system.

Why is the Master Shield gutter system special? Three reasons: self cleaning microfilter, steeper angles, and versatile installation options.

 

Clear Off Debris

It’s important to remove leaves, pine needles, and other debris from the surface of your roof as well as your gutters. Even small bits of debris will hold moisture and possibly rot or mold, which will break down your roofing material.

Trim Trees around Your Home

Tall trees with branches that hang over your house greatly contribute to the accumulation of debris on your roof and in your gutters. Therefore, even if you clean your gutters you may be faced with continual leaves and branches falling into them during winter.

In order to save yourself from these additional issues and the possibility of gutters getting clogged when the snow hits, it is best to take some time and deal with those trees as well.

Long and heavy tree limbs and dead trees can be a great hazard during storms and rains as well, as they can lean towards your home and even crash into it and destroy certain areas.

Squirrels and wild raccoons are known to live on or climb trees, so these trees and long branches can also function as a great access point to your home’s attic.

Therefore, in order to prevent damages, as well as rodents inside your home, it is best to trim all the trees, as well as tall bushes around your home.

Check Your Roof Flashing

Flashing is one of the most important components of your roof that helps prevent leaks. Therefore, any issues with it can lead to serious water damage inside your home.

Flashing is made of impervious material, such as aluminum or galvanized metal. It functions as an additional protective mechanism that directs the water off of the roof and prevents its passage into your home’s structure.

Flashing is located along the intersections of the roof, on all the joints, at the edges of skylights, on the areas where chimney interconnects with the roof and other similar areas.

Freezing temperatures and rain, as well as strong storms and winds, can sometimes cause the flashing to tear, loosen, uplift, and to corrode.

In order to prevent greater damages and the troubles of a leak during the winter – which can amount to some serious costs – it is always highly recommended to inspect all the flashing to ensure that everything is in working order.

Call in a professional roofer and they will make sure all the parts are properly and tightly sealed and if there are any missing or loose pieces, they will replace them on time.

Spotting hail damage: Everything you need to know when inspecting your roof for damage, leaks, or other harm.

 

Examine Your Roof Shingles

Similarly to the flashing, shingles can also experience wear and tear over time, especially if the roof is an older one.

Loose and missing shingles can also lead to a number of problems that can be difficult to deal with during the winter, once the damage is already done.

You will notice that your shingles are faulty or loose if they start to lose their granules, i.e., when you find granules in your gutters.

You will also notice visible signs of curling or see some leaves, twigs, or other debris lodged underneath the shingles. These are all signs of damaged shingles that need to be replaced.

Neglecting a fairly simple roof repair such as replacing a few shingles can lead to roof leaks, damages or even a complete roof replacement in the future.

Roofing materials: What’s the best option for your home?

 

Get a Free Winter Roof Inspection Today!

Let Foothills come to your home today to do a free roof inspection to ensure your roof is free from any potential damage or weak spots!

Give us a call today at (720) 484-1600