When you think about winterizing your home, is your roof part of the work? It should be. Michigan winter weather can cause serious problems for homeowners, and keeping your roof in good condition and prepping for a demanding season will keep your home warm and dry and save you from having to deal with emergency roofing problems and expensive repairs. You’ll have to rely on your Michigan roofing experts for much of this roof maintenance.
1. Repair Damaged Shingles
Any shingles that are missing, damaged, or loose leave your home susceptible to water, ice, and snow. Leaks and water damage result and the rest of your roof could suffer as the problems spread. Broken shingles allow water to seep under the roofing and enter your home.
2. Replace Roof Flashing
Roof flashing diverts water from certain areas of the roof to keep it dry and protected and prevent the formation of ice dams. Roof valleys and overhangs could be problematic, as well as the chimney area. Leaks can easily occur if flashing is damaged or warped in any way.
3. Prune Trees
Those beautiful branches that form a picturesque frame around your home are a bigger hazard than help, especially when snow and ice arrive. Overhanging branches are an instant threat to your roof and if they get heavy with precipitation they could break off and cause roof damage. Branches scratch shingles, dent a roof, drop debris, and contribute to mildew and mold buildup.
4. Tidy Up
It’s normal for a roof to gather leaf and twig collections throughout the year, but without intervention this debris holds moisture and clogs gutters. The roofing material you have matters when it comes to tidying up methods – consult with a pro about whether you have asphalt shingles, wood shake, cedar shake, or otherwise.
5. Invest in a Roof Rake
There are many fall and winter roofing tasks you can do from the ground if you invest in a roof rake. This snow removal tool helps prevent snow from piling up on the roof if you use it in between every six inches of snowfall. The effort creates a path for runoff so nothing freezes and leads to leaks or ice dams. Just rake carefully so you don’t rub granules off shingles or loosen shingles or flashing.
6. Clean Gutters
Gutters are an essential component of a home’s roofing system and protect your home from water by controlling water flow during a storm or snow melting. Gutter screens or guards keep out leaves and maintain healthy water drainage through the winter. Without clean gutters, the buildup can become heavy and make the gutters fall off.
7. Hire a Professional Roofing Contractor
If you can see even one damaged area of your roof from the ground, hire a professional to get the roof maintenance job done quickly before the weather turns. Most roof repairs or upgrades are too high for a DIY job. Be safe and smart by going pro.
Only an expert roofer can judge the structural integrity of your roof and all its elements. If you have any minor problems or serious concerns, contact The Modern Pros in southeast Michigan to inspect the health of your roof, make repairs, remove unwanted elements, and get your home winter ready. Schedule a consultation with a roofing contractor to discuss your needs.