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Roofing Winter Preparation Made Easy - 3 Tips to Consider

Roof Pros • November 2, 2020
With wintertime just around the corner, you’re most likely preparing your home for all the challenges that are to come once the snow starts pouring in and visibility goes low.

Right now, you’ve probably got a few dozen items on your checklist that need to be taken care of promptly as you prepare your home. For instance, you may have a few tasks like “have salt ready for stairs and the driveway,” “have shovels and roof rakes read,” “winter-proof the pipes,” and “check the heater,” all waiting to be done. 

Now that temperatures are growing low and are expected to get even lower in the coming weeks, it’s clear that no stone can be left unturned. As you go through the different entries on your winter prep to-do list, however, there’s one item that you’ll need to take care of promptly long before it’s too late: Preparing your roof for the cold. 

Prepare Your Roof Now Before The Winter Months

winter roofing prep

Why you need to prepare and check your roof before the snow arrives?

Any Hampden, Hampshire or Franklin County, MA resident knows the inevitable truth of how challenging winter can be on the exterior of our homes.  Particularly, roofs and gutters can fail if homeowners don't properly prepare them before the snow starts to fall.  Taking a few steps to prepare your roof and gutters for this coming winter can dramatically cut down on costly damages. 


Here are a few tips on preparing your roof and gutters for the winter


Tip #1 - Inspect your Roof for Damaged Shingles and Roof Flashing


Damaged or Failing Shingles
Damaged Shingles range from shingles that may have broken off your roof, are showing signs of cracking or have elements growing on top of them.  Any of these warning signs could lead to potential leaking when your roof is covered in snow.   Repairing any potential shingle issues now will save you 1,000's in the long run.  For a list of roofing issues that you may want to check, view our complete roofing issues guide.


Damaged or Failing Flashing

Considering that roof flashing is one of the most crucial parts of any roofing system that prevents leaks, it can help to inspect it and ensure that it’s ready to take on the weight of a blanket of snow.


Most homes end up running into inconvenient and unsightly leakages during the winter because the flashing is prone to breakages when subject to certain conditions, one of the most prominent being pressure caused by weight. By taking the time to inspect this crucial part of your roof, it will be far easier to solve underlying problems before they grow into big ones.


Fortunately, a broken or wonky roof flashing can be easily fixed in a matter of hours by calling the experts at Roof Pros 413 for an immediate inspection and replacement! 



Tip #2 - Clean Out Your Gutters and Ensure They Are Working Properly


When it comes to winter-roof preparations, one of the key tasks that you can never overlook is caring for your gutters and making sure they’re ready for what’s to come.


Compared to other parts of a roofing system, gutters are the most prone to breakages during the winter season because the snow, hail, and wind can also cause different parts to deteriorate or prematurely break down.  In addition, clogged gutters can quickly lead to rain build up that will eventually create ice dams.  Ice dams can force water underneath shingles causing interior damage. 


If you’re looking to winter-proof your roof, now is a good time to clean out your gutters and make a few tweaks to ensure that they can hold out for the next few months! 



Tip #3 - Have a Plan For When Winter Arrives


Even with all the proper preparations, you want to have a plan to keep the edges of your roof and gutters clear after each snow storm.  If you're maintaining your roof, be sure to have your ladders ready, roof rakes purchased and another other equipment ready to go.  If you're not comfortable or able to do the work yourself, you can hire our company to help keep your roofs clear and gutters free from ice dams. 


Save from costly repairs by preparing for the winter ahead of time


As the wintertime comes into full swing, one of the most crucial parts of your home that you’ll need to care for and keep in perfect shape to stand a chance against the conditions is your roof and your gutters. Through the help of the three tips mentioned in this guide, you can better understand why you should protect your home’s top and what you need to do so that everything is kept in check! 


Are you looking for expert roofing services in Hampden County, Hampshire County or Franklin County, MA? At Roof Pros, we are top rated roofing contractors that specialize in roof replacements, roof repairs, emergency roofing repairs, siding installation, gutters and all exterior home improvement projects.  Contact us today for a free estimate or for emergency services.





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