Top 7 Expert Tips to Winter Proof Your Roof

We are fast approaching the most wonderful time of the year and it’s time to dig out the hats, gloves and scarves to keep warm. Now ask yourself; have you made sure your home is warm and cosy? It is essential for home owners to make sure that their homes are protected against the harsher winter elements. Did you know that your home could be losing up to 26% of its heat through the roof? Winter proof your roof now!

If you are putting off roofing work you should reconsider. A seemingly menial problem with the exterior of your home could easily snowball into a huge crisis.

Here are some of our top tips on how you can Winter Proof your home:

1. Inspect your roof regularly
We really believe that a little roof T.L.C. can save a lot of heart ache down the line. The main things to look out for are blocked gutters, decay and debris. If you know of existing leaks coming from your roof, skylight or chimney, get them inspected and repaired immediately.

2. Gutters! Gutters! Gutters!
A blocked gutter, however trivial it may seem, really should be a top priority for homeowners this winter. Water has to be able to flow easily otherwise it may stagnate and can lead to roof rot. Leaking could also begin if enough water builds up. While your checking the gutters, make sure that they are correctly fastened. You could also consider installing gutter covers to prevent or at least slow down the accumulation of debris.

3. Trim surrounding trees
Fallen branches can cause damage to your roof and may cause blockages in your gutters. This is especially likely to happen in the autumn periods due to the fall of foliage. It is recommended that an expert is contact to carry out the trimming of surrounding flora, to make sure it is done safely and effectively.

4. Animals
Animals can cause a vast amount of damage, so make sure you don’t have any critters nesting in your roof. For example, there may be droppings and chewed debris from the likes of birds and squirrels. Once any animals have been evicted, block any entrances to prevent any new residents!

5. Inside the Home
Check ceiling and interior walls for signs of leaks (evidence of a leak is most likely to be dark stains).Take the time to seal all roof leaks before the weather gets too bad. When rooftop gets covered with ice and snow (lovely and Christmas-like as it looks in photos) it will be nearly impossible to find those little maddening roof leaks.

6. Fascia & Soffit
Check your roof deck and fascia for any signs of deterioration. The cold weather will have a tremendous effect on loose mortar or composite building materials. These materials will contract in the colder weather and if the materials are already loose, these materials may separate giving the water and wind easy into your home.

7. Insulation:
If your home is older and you have a flat roof then there is a good chance that you may not have any insulation. This then means that there is very little between you and the elements. It is important then to get insulation for your ceiling to keep you protected and prevent damage from occurring during the harsh winter months.

Source: RoofingSystemsIreland.com/winterproofyourroof