Is Your Roof Ready for Winter?

The key to making sure your roof is ready for the winter months is maintenance and repair. Being proactive can mean the difference between having a small repair vs. a full tear off and replacement.

Whether you have a commercial property for your business, or a home for your family, if there's any question about the condition of your roof, an inspection should be performed before the next winter storm. The roofer should be inspecting:

Material — whatever your roofing material, the roofer should be look at the surface for any cracks, bubbles, worn or missing material, etc. In addition, some roofers are able to use a scanning device that might show areas where you roof is holding water even under the roofing materials and will reveal hidden damage. Your roofers (with your permission) should immediately make repairs to any damage they may find.

Seams — trained roofers will look at any place where there are roof penetrations, parapets, drains, caulk joints, HVAC units, chimneys, skylights, etc. They should replace or repair any worn or missing caulking or other weatherproofing where your roof has penetrations.

Gutters — professional roofers will clear debris from gutters, scuppers and drains to prevent all kinds of future damage.

Critters — professional roofers will also note and repair damage that might have been caused by critters like birds, squirrels, roof rats, etc. They can also suggest solutions to prevent the return of unwanted roof guests.

Landscaping — while roofers aren’t landscapers, they can look for hazards that might cause potential damage to your roof, such as branches rubbing on the roofing material, or bushes that are blocking gutters, etc., and make recommendations for landscaping changes.

If you live in an area that is prone to severe summer storms, it is a good idea to have your roof inspected after the stormy season to repair damage before winter sets in.

After the storms we had during the holiday season, snow is probably an issue for many areas of the country. 10-12 inches of light snow or 3-5 inches of packed snow is about 5 pounds per square foot. That said, 2 feet of old snow and 2 feet of new snow could weigh as much as 60 pounds per square foot, well over the common safety limit of 20lbs per foot.

If you live in an area where snow load is a regular problem, you should have a plan in place for the safe removal of snow. If you choose to do it yourself, a snow rake with a long extension arm that allows you to stand safely on the ground is ideal. If your roof is too large or difficult to reach from the ground, your local roofer can likely assist, or refer you to a reputable snow removal service.