Every season brings new weather and new challenges. Thus, you need to frequently maintain your roof to ensure that everything beneath it stays dry, secure, and safe.
Please note that if you have any sort of injury or medical condition that would prevent you from using a ladder safely, you should contact a professional service to help with roof maintenance.
With that being said, follow this handy guide to care for your roof year-round!
Winter
Winter is the most important season for roof maintenance, especially if you live in a cold climate. If too much snow builds up on your rooftop, it can cause leaks, gutter damage, and even total roof collapses. To protect yourself and your home, invest in a roof snow load measurement system. This device will monitor the pressure your roof is under and alert you if action needs to be taken.
Icicles are beautiful, but they are also a safety hazard. Carefully remove any that appear around your rooftop. A surplus of icicles may be a sign of gutter damage.
Spring
During winter, debris will gather on your rooftop. When spring comes, the ice holding it in place will melt, washing that debris into your gutters until it inevitably clogs your downspouts. To prevent this from happening, clean out your gutters just before the weather changes. There are a variety of tools that can help you, including extendable ladders to ground-level gutter scoops.
Summer
Summer is the best season to inspect your rooftop for damage and maintenance issues. Taking all necessary safety precautions, check your eaves and gutters for debris you might have missed during your spring sweep. Look for missing or broken shingles, and if you find any, replace them to prevent leaks. Make sure that all structures on your roof, such as satellite dishes, chimneys, and vents, are securely in place.
Fall
The colorful autumnal leaves are truly a sight to behold, but they can also be a menace to your roof. Once again, clean out your gutters.
Next, take a trip up to your attic. Here, you should check your insulation for rips, missing sections, and mold development. Additionally, inspect your ventilation. The increased use of heaters and furnaces during the cold season will leave your home vulnerable to carbon monoxide buildup. A properly ventilated roof will help minimize that risk.
Your house is more than just a building you live in—it is your home. Take the proper precautions to ensure that it remains in working order from the foundations to the shingles. A little maintenance here and there goes a long way.
