As the cold weather makes its abrupt arrival, heavy snow will be sure to follow. Whether you love or hate the winter, there’s no way you’re going to avoid it living in Wisconsin. With the season, your roof becomes particularly susceptible to damage. The good news is there are several effective ways for you to protect your home. Learn how to prepare your roof for the winter by diving into this helpful guide.
Inspect and Clean Out Your Gutters
To protect your roof, the first step is to inspect and clean out your gutters. This step is the most crucial to preform before heavy snow arrives. If you fail to do this, old leaves mixed with fallen debris can put heavy weight on your gutters, causing them to become clogged.
Though it may not cause immediate concern, when the snow begins to melt, you may be in for a rude surprise. This is because clogged gutters can create a huge variety of problems. One in particular is roof leaks and cracks. Avoid the pools of sitting water on your roof by inspecting and cleaning out your gutters.
Trim the Branches that Loom Over Your Home
If your home is surrounded by trees, don’t let them become a hazard in the winter. To effectively prepare your roof, trim any branches that linger over your house. During the wintertime, it’s not alarming to see tree branches fall from the heavy weight of snow.
But, what is alarming is the thought of tree branches falling onto your roof and possibly causing significant damage. Avoid the chances of this happening by trimming any particular branches that cause you to worry.
Inspect Your Attic and Ventilation
The most effective way to prepare your roof for the winter is to check your attic and ventilation. If your roof isn’t adequately insulated or the air doesn’t properly ventilate, the winter season can cause many problems. These problems include mold, mildew, and possible roof leaks.
By properly inspecting your attic and ventilation, you’ll be able to take care of any necessary repairs before the dangerous weather arrives.
Look for Possible Roof Damage
The last step in preparing your roof for the winter is to check your roof for any missing or damaged rooftop shingles. With the past seasons, your roof has likely gone through a lot. If you haven’t been up there regularly checking things out, it’s imperative you do so before heavy snow arrives. If you find any alarming damage on your roof, it may be time for a roof upgrade.
The bad news is that the winter season isn’t an ideal time to upgrade a roof that is made up of traditional shingles. But the amazing news is that any time of the year is perfect for a metal roof upgrade!
If you’re looking for a roofing contractor in the Appleton, WI area, American Metal Roofs of Northern Wisconsin is the best team to rescue your roof from the heavy Wisconsin snow. For any questions regarding our roofing options, give us a call.