Don’t let the cold weather cause roof damage on your home. Here are some tips to help ensure your roof stands up to the winter weather including snow and ice this year. Preventing a roof leak in Ypsilanti Michigan may only take a few minutes of preventative maintenance. With these tips we’ll help to dive deeper into some things you can do as a home owner which reduces the risk of roof damage on your home. And more importantly, how you can prevent that roof damage.
Home Tips to Help Prevent Winter Roof Damage in Ypsilanti Michigan
One big problem when winter gets here is the fact that much of your roof can be covered in snow and just looking at the roof is difficult. What’s worse is that snow can also cause damage to roofs. As your roof ages, it might be easier to handle, especially if the roof is suffering from a weak roof decking or joist damage in the attic of the home. To ensure that your roof can support the weight, make sure it is properly inspected by roofing professionals. You can also inspect the roof yourself and look for damages but make sure to only do so from the ground and never go on your roof especially during winter when snow and ice are present. It is simply too dangerous without the proper training and equipment.
You’ll also want to look around your home’s attic for signs of problems as well. If you see areas in the attic which have water damage you may have a roof leak. You also want to ensure the attic is properly insulated and that the insulation is not falling down away from the underside of the roof. A poorly insulated attic can allow warm air to escape, melting the roof’s snow. This causes the water to freeze again, creating ice sheets. Over time this can damage the entire roof as water freezes and then thaws over and again while expanding and contracting. Similar to how water pipes burst during freezing.
Roofs that are exposed to heavy snows should be pitched so that the snow has a path to slide off. Heavy snows and ice sheets sliding off roofs can pose a danger to people on the ground. To prevent sudden snow and ice releases, roofs can have snow guards (avalanche control basically) installed. Snow and ice falling can cause injury to people, or damage to landscaping and vehicles. Keeping your gutters clear can help to prevent this as well. Keep your gutters clear to prevent water from accumulating under the shingles.
Don’t Forget to Check your Chimney
Many houses have wood stoves or fireplaces for heating. These stoves look great and keep your home warm and cozy. However, a blocked chimney can pose a danger so make sure it is cleaned and inspected. Even if your home has a fireplace that is not used regularly it can cause problems especially where the smoke stack exits the roof. A blocked chimney can easily lead to a fire, and can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Although you can do it yourself, professional help is recommended for this type. Although the cost isn’t too high, it is difficult work so hiring someone would be a better option.
The area around where the chimney exits the home should be inspected regularly. As the sealant around the area can crack and break during colder weather having it inspected each year is best before the cold weather gets here.
Get a Full Roof Inspection on your Home
Routinely looking over the roof for problems can help to prevent loads of problems on your roof. Most roof leaks occur after some time when roof damage has occurred. Waiting until you have a roof leak can lead to more damages in the home. So why not inspect the roof yourself from the ground. Check for damaged or missing shingles. To prevent leaks, have them replaced by a qualified roofer. Verify that flashing is not deteriorated around chimneys, skylights and vent pipes. To seal joints and stop water penetration, use roofing cement and a caulking gun.
One of the best roofers in the Ypsilanti Michigan area is Ypsilanti Roofing Company. They offer a variety of roofing services including repairs and replacement of the roof shingles. Call them today to get a free quote at 734-291-0165
