Roof maintenance is one of the most important home maintenance tasks there is. It’s not hard to understand why either. Your roof is what protects you and your home from the elements. Because the winter season tends to expose the roof to the harshest elements of the year, from snow and ice to rain, it’s important that you do winter roof maintenance. While there are some winter roof maintenance tasks that you can do yourself, hiring a Minneapolis roofing contractor is the best way to ensure that your roof will hold up to the challenges of winter. The following are a few of the winter roof maintenance tasks that need to be done:
Prevent Ice & Snow From Damaging Gutters
One of the issues that many Minnesota homeowners experience is when snow that sits on the roof melts and then slides down into the gutters. This is problematic because the weight of the snow can cause damage to your gutters when it slides down like a mini avalanche. If it doesn’t damage your gutters, it can freeze up at night while sitting in your gutters. Not only could this actually tear down your gutters, it can clog them as well, causing leaks into your home. Using a roof rake from the ground can cause damage to your gutter system it there has been too much of an ice buildup. If it seems like your roof is holding up too much snow, it might be a good idea to have it professionally removed.
Inspect Attics & Ceilings
Because your roof is going to be experiencing more wear and tear during the winter than any other season, it’s important that you look for signs of potential damage on a regular basis. One way to do this is by looking up. Check inside your home for roof leaks. This can be done by looking for water spots on the ceilings or by heading into the attic after a heavy snowfall to see if there are any visible light or moisture leaks.
Trim Tree Branches
Tree branches that are located too close to your home may present a real danger to the roof. Although best done earlier in the fall, if it has recently snowed you may notice branches weighing down to the point where they are almost touching your roof. These branches should be removed. The same applies to branches that are weighed down by ice. The weight of snow and ice can result in the branch breaking and falling onto or through your roof.
Ensure your roof is ready for the winter by contacting your Minneapolis Roofing Contractor today. For over 40 years Midwest Roofing, Siding and Windows has served Minneapolis and the Twin Cities region. As a GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum, and Pella Certified Contractor we provide superior workmanship at a fair price, with on-time service, and thorough clean-up.