Winter is finally here. If you haven't already winterized your metal roofing, it's time to take care of that. Winter weather can wreak havoc on your roof. Before you start hanging up your holiday decorations, take the time to winterize the roof. Taking a few precautionary measures will help avoid wintertime roofing emergencies. Here are four simple steps you can take to get your roof ready for winter.
Do a Visual Inspection
The best way to keep track of your roof is to conduct a visual inspection from the ground. Looking at the roof from the ground will give you the opportunity to get a clear view of the entire surface. If you live in a region that experiences heavy snow fall, you should take care of the visual inspection before the first snowfall of the season. For your metal roof, you're going to be looking for signs of rust, dents, mold, or algae growth. If you see any of these signs, you need to contact your roofing contractor as soon as possible.
Clean the Gutters
You might not think that your rain gutters would have anything to do with winterizing your roof, but they do. If fact, your rain gutters are among the first line of defense for your roof. Before the winter rains and snow arrive, make sure your gutters are clean and in good repair.
Use a whisk broom to sweep away the debris. Next, use your garden hose to wash your gutters. Rinse until the water runs clean through the downspouts. Clean water means that all the dirt, mud and debris is gone. Finally, check for damage. If you see any cracks in your gutters, dry the area. Apply a layer of waterproof caulking around the damaged area. Place a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil over the caulking and seal the area with an additional layer of waterproof caulking.
Prune Those Trees
If you have mature trees in your yard, and they are growing near your home, you need to prune the top branches before winter arrives – especially the branches that are resting on your roof. Branches that are resting against your home can cause extensive damage to your roof, especially during a wind storm. They also provide easy access to rodents, which can damage your roofing and get into your home.
Call the Professionals
Now that you're winterizing your roof, you should call the professionals. They can take care of any last-minute repairs that will need to be made. Leaving your roof in disrepair through the winter can leave you with costlier repairs to deal with later.
Don't hang up your holiday lights until you winterize your roof. Use the tips provided here to protect your roof from winter damage. Be sure to talk to your roofing contractor about other ways to protect your metal roof during the winter.
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