Roof Maintenance in Winter Months

Where’s the SNOW?

Is this something that many of us in the Southeast have been wondering for the better part of the last few months? For the most part, it’s a good thing that we live in an area where the winters are milder. There is a steady stream of tales from the Northerners who keep moving here about how terrible it was back home. It’s clear to us. Regardless of how awful it was for you “back up north,” we Southerners still like seeing a little snow here and there. Please don’t attempt to dampen our spirits when we glimpse a glimmer of hope in our five-day prediction for a dusting of snow.

We’ve experienced a mild winter so far this year, however. Southerners don’t give up hope for a white Christmas just yet! It’s important to remember that we’ve experienced snow in December previously, and some in January in the past.

Winter Is a Great Time to Check on the Condition of Your Roof

It is raining outside as of this writing. Whether or not it snows in the end, we have had plenty of rain this season. In the absence of regular roof inspections and maintenance, persistent wetness can harm the lifespan of your roof. For various reasons, winter is a great time to inspect your roof (as long as it isn’t snowing or slippery!).

• All of the leaves have fallen off of the trees in this area.
• There aren’t many stinging insects around because they’ve hibernated for the winter.
• Summertime conditions can be oppressively hot and muggy, making it more challenging to inspect the roof than in the fall and winter.

If you’ve been saving energy by not having to mow the lawn, why not put it to good use?

A few things to remember when performing your winter roof self-check:

Remove Roof Debris

You may still have debris on your roof after the summer and fall storms have passed. Please remove any remaining limbs or debris while you’re at it. If you don’t remove the items from your roof as soon as possible, you could wind up doing more harm than your roofing materials. If you don’t feel comfortable climbing on the roof, hire a roofing contractor Mandeville LA to do the job for you.

Composition roofing is a form of asphalt shingle roofing that may be designed to look like other types of roofs. Manufacturers can use fiberglass, asphalt, and even recycled paper to create composition roofing. Besides, it comes in several colors, styles, and sizes to match your home’s décor.

Clean Out Those Gutters

Pulling away any leaves or other organic waste that may have accumulated in your roof gutters is a good idea at this time. Gutter systems that aren’t able to function effectively aren’t doing their duty. To put it simply, clogged gutters can strain the edges of your roof, causing it and your home’s framework to be severely harmed. Gutter guards can also be put in the winter so that you never have to clear out your gutters again!

Trim Back Those Branches

It’s a time of year to prune the branches that hang over your roof and the trees that are close to your home. Having all of the leaves down makes it easier to deal with the branches, and you can see where you need to cut. Additionally, if the remaining winter storms produce snow or ice, weakening branches can break off and cause damage to your roof or other parts of your home.

Schedule a Professional Inspection

There is nothing better than having a roofing professional assess your roof for you, but it’s always a good idea to undertake frequent self-checks. Preventive roof inspection and maintenance can save you a lot of money in the long run. You may be able to fix a problem with a simple repair rather than risking a pricey roof replacement in the future if you hire the proper roofing inspector.

For more information, contact Roof Crafters in Hammond, Baton Rouge, and Mandeville, LA at 985-241-8045.