Is Your Roof Ready for Winter

If you do not already have a Stone Coated Metal Roof these Winterizing Roof Tips are for you! 

Winter brings snow and ice which can damage your roof and lead to roof leaks and structural damage to your roof due to the ongoing heavy weight of snow and ice on a fiberglass, asphalt or standing seam metal roof.

However, with a bit of seasonal preventative maintenance before the winter weather hits you can save yourself from costly roof headaches if you are still not prepared to move to a permanent roof solution like the Stone Coated Metal Roof. 

Here are some insightful roof tips to prepare your roof for the winter!

First, have your roof professionally inspected before the winter season begins!

A roof inspection can identify potential roof issues, whether the roof problems are obvious or hidden from the naked eye. Making sure the roof is structurally sound before the first real winter storm arrives is vital to your peace of mind. Remember - Cold weather is unforgiving when it comes to roofs if it is NOT MADE OF STONE COATED METAL ROOFING - the only true permanent all-weather proof roof solution.

The summer may be a fun and exciting time of the year you and your family, but for your roof the summer can take it's toll on your roof with the hot temperatures and odd stormy days. Heat can cause shingles to deteriorate, crack and create pin holes, while the UV rays can damage the overall integrity of roof.

Second, check your gutter system!

Clean out your gutter system including downspouts to ensure they are free and clear of leaves and other debris. A clear gutter system is all about the ability for water to flow properly. Water spillover splashing can cause mold, mildew, and other damage to your home. When a gutter system is clear, water will flow freely and not back up onto your roof. Ice dams occur when melting snow refreezes at the edge of your roof and creates a dam that prevents further melting snow from draining off a roof. Unmanaged gutters can lead to serious damage to your shingles and serious leaks in your roof.

Third, trim any tree branches hanging in, around and over your roof.

Loose branches or untrimmed limbs can cause damage if they fall during a winter storm. Moisture forms on branches and then freezes. The combined weight can cause the wood to break off and fall causing damage to your roof.

Fourth, inspect your chimney.

Inspecting your chimney will insure it is free of leaves and other debris like pine cones, twigs and such which can cause leaks to your roof system. Also, Remember to inspect the flashing around your chimney and vent pipes to make sure it is secure. Flashing around skylights, and other openings in the roof should also be inspected to prevent water leaks. On a side note, a chimney left with unwanted debris can be a fire hazard, regardless of the season if left unchecked.

Fifth, inspect your attic.

An attic inspection is also key to a successful roof system. Making sure the attic is properly ventilated will help to prevent ice dams from forming. Checking there is adequate insulation to keep heat from escaping through the roof is important to preventing ice dams, and it will assist in keeping your energy bills lower. In addition, clear vents provide a path for air to circulate under your roof and help prevent moisture buildup which lead to ice damming and roof deuteriation and leaks.

Roof Maintenance and professional inspections are proactive ways to protect your roof from winter storms and unnecessary repairs and early replacement when it comes to Asphalt Roofs, Fiberglass Roofing Systems and Seamless Metal Roofing - not to be confused with Stone Coated Metal Roofing which has permanent durability features engineered into the steel shingles

If you're ready to learn more about Great Lakes Stone Coated Metal Roofs or to schedule a roof inspection for your home we're here for you at Great Lakes Metal Roofing! You can call us at 800-715-ROOF or visit us at www.GreatLakesMetalRoofing.com!