Like it or not, winter is coming.
(If you are a Game of Thrones fan, this sentence instills much excitement, but we won’t be talking about the White Walkers in this blog post.)
And with winter comes freezing temperatures, brisk winds, and the possibility of snow build-up on a roof that can cause havoc, both for your home and the people you invite into your home. So with that in mind, you need to ensure your roof is ready for everything that Old Man Winter will throw at it.
Here are some tips to keep in mind to ensure your roof is ready for a Michigan winter.
Check for Sagging
If there are sagging spots on your roof, you want to address them before there is snow on the roof. This can be done easily by hiring a professional roofer to come out and take a look.
They might have to enter your attic to see where the problem is coming from. Once they do, the fix could be as simple as fixing a rafter, but it’s going to be compounded by heavy snow if you let it go and try to wait it out until the springtime.
Ensure Your Attic Is Properly Ventilated
The attic is the thermometer of your home. Even though we’re talking about a roof, having attic vents in place will ensure ice doesn’t build up over the course of the cold winter and cause ice damming.
You want the air flowing through the attic to ensure your house stays energy-efficient. By letting the cold air pass, you allow your home to breathe.
If you don’t do this, you’re looking at higher-than-average energy bills during the winter months, at a time when your heating bills are already going to be high. No sense in throwing money away when it’s easy to save a few bucks before the cold season starts.
Get Rid of Debris
Before your roof is covered in snow, take some time on a day when the sun is out to ensure your roof is cleared of debris. This includes monitoring gutters, spouts and drains to be sure they are not blocked. If they are, water can build up and freeze in place, which can lead to fissures in the material and roof costs to skyrocket.
Keep An Eye On It
Just because you inspected your roof in the fall doesn’t mean nothing bad will happen during the winter. In fact, there is a greater risk of problems in the winter because the elements are more fierce. So it’s a good idea to check the roof on regular occasions (when you take the garbage out, shovel the walks, etc.) to make sure nothing is amiss.
If you follow these tips this winter, you will no doubt keep your home prepared for whatever the weather may throw at you, and you’ll have less to worry about when the weather finally warms up.
