How to Winterize Your Roof

---

“Winterize my what?!”

Yes, you read that right. Roofs need winterizing too, just like plumbing, just like having your heating system cleaned and inspected, and just like putting items like garden hoses out of harm’s way.

As your home’s first defense against the elements, your roof requires regular maintenance to keep your family warm and comfortable as well as prevent expensive repairs caused by leaking and ice dams.

Here are 9 important tasks to check off your list before winter weather hits home – literally.

1. Clean gutters and downspouts. Okay, so they’re not technically part of your roof, but they do play a vital role in keeping your roof in good repair. Clogged gutters and downspouts can lead to destructive and damaging ice dams which can cause shingles to separate from the roof deck and create an entry point for water.
2. Repair damaged shingles. Missing, loose, or damaged shingles can expose your home to water damage and roof leaks. Strong winds can loosen poorly-secured shingles and blow them away.
3. Repair damaged roof flashing. Flashing protects your home by diverting water away from around chimneys, valleys, and overhangs where ice dams can commonly form.
4. Replace caulking. Make sure that caulk or sealant around chimneys, vent pipes, and counter-flashing is in good shape and replace as needed to prevent water intrusion. Just be sure to remove the old caulk first to get a proper seal.
5. Trim back tree branches. Overhanging tree branches pose a threat to your roof should they break off during a storm or simply because they are weak. Even one fallen branch can inflict serious damage.

6. Check attic ventilation. Proper attic ventilation is essential to preventing ice dams. Not sure if yours is up to snuff? Here’s how to check. Close all ingress openings in the attic and hold up a piece of tissue paper toward the exhaust vents. If you see air movement, chances are you’re good to go. If not, you either have inadequate ventilation, the intake vents are blocked, or they have been painted shut.
7. Inspect attic insulation. While you’re up there, look for missing or damaged insulation. As hot air rises into your attic, poor insulation will cause it to keep going right up and through your roof. That not only wastes energy and costs more to heat your home, but it can also lead to ice dams. You see, when the warm air meets the bottom of the roof deck, it causes accumulated snow to melt. When the temps drop at night, the melted snow freezes and turns to ice.
8. Invest in a roof rake. If your roof line is accessible from the ground, a roof rake can greatly assist in snow removal which protects your roof and prevents ice dams. The weight of wet, heavy snow can put a burden on a roof, especially one that has more than one layer of shingles. Raking the roof after every 6 inches of snowfall can significantly reduce the load and create a path for runoff so the water doesn’t freeze.
9. Add a heat cable. If you’ve experienced ice dams, adding a heat cable to gutters, downspouts, or directly on the roof can go a long way toward preventing ice dams and the damage they can cause.

For any aspect of winterizing your roof you can’t or would rather not do yourself, Zaman Roofing is ready to lend a helping hand. Roof inspections, maintenance, repairs, replacement, and new installations – we do it all. Call and let us know how we can help.