The weather might feel unforgiving over winter, but it is important that homeowners go outside and check on their roofs to ensure they are kept in a good condition.
Here are some tips for looking after your roof during the colder months, so it can continue to look good when spring arrives.
– Get prepared
The thermostat might be dipping fast, but before winter properly sets in, it is important to get prepared. You can start by removing any debris that has fallen over the autumn, including twigs, leaves and branches, from the gutters and the roof.
This will stop the pipes getting blocked and causing leaks during wet weather, as the rainwater cannot drain away.
It is also important homeowners take a look at their roof to see if there are any loose or cracked tiles or if any have shifted or gone missing. If there is a significant number of tiles that have moved, this could be a sign roof repair specialists need to be called in to fix or replace it.
Look at the chimney flashings and, if there are any gaps that could allow water to enter, make sure you seal these with weatherproof sealant.
If you think your roofline appears to be sagging, it is worth getting this checked out before winter arrives, as you do not want any structural problems occurring at the coldest time of the year.
– Remove snow from roofs
During winter, you can still look after your roof to ensure it remains in good condition. Firstly, if you experience heavy snowfall, it is worth raking away from the roof edge to enable water to travel down the gutter once it starts to melt.
Make sure to be careful when raking the area, so you do not damage the shingles or tiles, particularly as the cold will make them brittle and more prone to breaking.
If the snow is not removed, there is a risk that the melting snow will not be able to drain away. Therefore, if the temperature drops again, this can cause an ice dam on the roof. This can then cause damage to the house, with the water leaking into the ceilings and walls.
– Keep gutters clear throughout winter
Similarly, it is essential to stay on top of gutter clearance to ensure they do not fill with ice or snow. If they block up, the rainwater will not have anywhere to go when it melts, which could potentially cause damp damage to the property.
What’s more, it can cause a backlog of snow and ice, and the weight of this can lead to strain on the roof.
– Check the roof from indoors
As well as paying attention to how the roof looks from the outside, it is also important to check its state from inside the house too.
Do this by heading into the loft to see if there are signs of sagging, drips or water damage. These could be indicators that the roof is leaking.
You can also check whether light is seeping through from the outside, as this shows there are gaps in the roof, which would allow rainwater to enter and lead to damp in the house.
– Call in the experts
If you are worried about the state of your roof during the winter months, but the cold weather, dark nights and heavy snowfall make it hard for you to give it a proper check over, roofing professionals will be able to assess it for you.
As well as ascertaining if there are any concerning issues, they will also carry out minor repairs that will guarantee your roof will not deteriorate during the cold season, or, if necessary, start major repair work to keep your property safe.
