helencooper's Blog

It’s no secret that harsh winter weather can take a serious toll on your home. High speed winds can tear away loose roofing shingles and even siding. Heavy rain can find its way beneath your roof and into your home. Hail can cause surface damage to your roof. Snow buildup on your roof can cause structural damage to your roof. That’s just a few of the things that can go wrong. While nothing can guarantee that you won’t experience these problems this winter, there is a lot you can do to limit the possibility. When winterizing your home, the best place to start is at the top with your roof. Here are some tips for getting your roof ready for the harsh weather to come.

Trim your trees

Sometimes, it isn’t the rain, hail, snow, or wind that damages your home directly. Overhanging branches can fall onto your roof causing severe damage. Even tiny twigs that hang over your roof can cause problems for you if the wind blows them back and forth across your roof. They can remove the granules from your roof. Branches and leaves can also clog your gutters and cause water to pool up on your roof leading to roof leaks. The chance of this can be minimized if you trim the trees near your home.

Check for and repair roof damage

Any damage to your roof or rain gutters is a vulnerable area that can lead to more serious problems. Before winter is in full swing, it’s a good idea to get out and inspect your roof looking for any damage. If you have cracked or curling shingles, clogged gutters, or rain gutters that are pulling away from your roof, take care of these problems immediately. They’ll only get worse if they are ignored.

Add insulation

Make sure the insulation in your attic is sufficient. You may need to add more if it is not. You may be wondering what insulation has to do with roofing problems. Insulation does more than keep your heating costs down. It also prevents ice from damming up your rain gutters causing roof damage and possibly leaks

Consider impact resistant roofing

If you live in an area that’s prone to hail and it’s time for a new roof, consider a roofing material that is especially resistant to hail damage. This can save you from frequently having to make costly repairs.

Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com

Source: propertycasualty360.com/2014/10/15/batten-down-the-hatches-help-your-customers-protec?t=sales-marketing&page=2