Winter can be a difficult and dangerous season for your home's roof. From freeze-thaw cycles to weight from heavy snow, roofs can take a beating over the course of the winter months if they are not properly cared for.
This makes it crucial that you pay attention to any potential signs of disrepair or damage to secure your residential roofing system throughout the coldest time of year. Though it may not always seem like an urgent priority in this climate, addressing extensive roof repairs is beneficial both now and in the future. Keep reading to learn three roof repairs you should take seriously during winter to protect your residential roofing system from damage.
Repair Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts are vital in keeping water away from your home's foundation during winter. Unfortunately, if your gutters are broken or damaged, they won't be able to do their job properly.
It's quite easy to ignore your residential gutter system during winter, assuming that the system will be frozen up. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that due to freeze-thaw cycles, the gutters still have a role to play during the coldest season of the year.
By letting a local roofer repair your gutters and downspouts, you can ensure the meltwater doesn't back up into your roof. Furthermore, properly functioning gutters minimize the risk of ice dams, a phenomenon that can cause havoc on your roof.
Address Flashing Damage
Flashing is essential to your residential roof since it helps keep water out at points where the roof meets walls or dormers. During winter, it's difficult to notice flashing damage due to snow cover. However, you shouldn't think twice about contacting a local roofer when you notice leaks inside the house.
Flashing damage is one of those roof repairs you shouldn't ignore in winter because, even though they seem minor, they can cause havoc in your house. You can trust a seasoned roofer to identify the portion of your flashing that's starting to deteriorate and offer a lasting solution to the problem.
Check for Missing Shingles
If any shingles have gone missing from your roof due to a storm or other incident, you must address this problem quickly before your residential roofing system takes a beating. This is especially true if you live in an area with heavy snowfall; missing shingles are one of the most common causes of ice dams since they leave exposed areas where snow can collect and melt slowly instead of running off the roof as it should. A local roofer can replace the missing shingles and fasten any loose ones as well.
Winter doesn't have to mean disaster; you can keep your residential roofing system in tip-top condition by promptly addressing these common roof repairs. Don't hesitate to contact a local roofer and let them do your roof justice.
