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Five Ways to Protect Your Roof This Winter 

Posted on Monday, November 15th, 2021 at 12:56 pm    

Five Ways to Protect Your Roof This Winter Winter is one of the toughest seasons to weather safely. Brutally cold and icy conditions can test the resiliency of any roof. Heavy snowfalls and freezing rain can cause significant damage to your home or business. Winter’s bitter and blistering winds can also take their toll. Thankfully, there are some steps that you can take to mitigate Old Man Winter’s harmful effects.

 

The professionals at Kidd Roofing have five tips to help you keep your roof in tip-top shape this winter.

 

Inspect Your Roof While the Weather Is Good

 

Before winter even sets in, inspect your roof for damage. Snow, rain, and cycles of freezing can make existing problems worse. Catching damage while it is minor and repairing it before winter sets in can save you extensive roofing repair costs down the road.

 

You may want to consider calling a roofer to complete an inspection since smaller issues can be difficult to spot. It also means you don’t have to risk your safety by stomping around on your roof. A roofing expert can assess your roof for damage, give you a repair plan, and offer valuable tips for preventing future problems.

 

Insulate Your Attic and Clear the Ventilation Ducts 

 

Check your attic and make sure that you have adequate insulation. Adequate insulation can help keep your home comfortable when the temperatures drop. It may also keep your roof warmer and prevent some snow accumulation.

 

While you are in the attic, check to make sure that nothing is blocking your ventilation system. Remove animal nests or excess insulation that may be blocking vents and airflow. Good ventilation can help prevent moisture build-up since warmer air tends to hold more moisture. Moisture build-up can cause damage to your home and roof and lead to mold and mildew problems. Extra moisture can also cause wood to rot, compromising the integrity of your roof.

 

Trim Your Trees

 

Five Ways to Protect Your Roof This Winter While trees may help keep your property shaded in the summer months, they can pose a safety risk during the winter months. Trim branches in the fall before bad weather sets in. Cut back anything that looks loose or weak. Harsh winter storms, high winds, or heavy snowfall can damage these branches, causing them to fall onto your roof. Falling branches can cause damage to shingles and the stability of the roof itself.

 

Clean the Gutters

 

If you are already busy trimming the trees, now is the perfect time to clean the gutters as well. Remove all clogs and debris and, if necessary, install gutter-guards to prevent more debris accumulation. Rainwater and melting snow can get trapped in stopped-up gutters. This extra moisture can cause water damage to your home. Constant freezing and thawing of this water can also damage your gutters, shingles, and portions of your roof.

 

Remove Snow as Best You Can

 

Getting up on your roof in the middle of winter to remove snow build-up is no one’s idea of a good time. It can be dangerous, even deadly work. However, you can help prevent damage by removing snow that has piled up close to overhangs and on gutters. Removing this snow can help prevent snow and ice dams from forming. Snow and ice dams can eventually cause a roof to collapse. Snow rakes are useful tools for removing snow from the roof without using a ladder. 

 

Avoid using chemicals to melt snow and ice off your roof. Some ice melt chemicals can damage shingles and hurt your roof. Many of these chemicals are also harmful to plants. So, when ice and snowmelt and eventually drip down off the roof, the moisture mixed with the chemicals could damage your landscaping.

 

Contact Kidd Roofing Today for Your Roofing Needs 

 

Texas is not immune to harsh winter weather. Heavy snowfalls, bitter winds, and freezing rain and hail pose real threats to your home and safety. Before an issue arises, contact the professional team at Kidd Roofing and have your roof inspected ahead of winter. We can spot potential problems before they turn into full-blown disasters.

 

If you believe that poor weather conditions have already compromised the integrity of your roof, our experts are ready to help. We can repair your roof quickly and efficiently. Our team is always mindful of your time and budget and can help you find financing options that will work for you.

 

Ready to schedule an inspection or talk to a roofing professional? Call our office today at (866) 671-7791. We want to help you get your home winter-weather ready.