Roofing for the Holidays: Winterizing Your Roof

winterizing roof master shake roofing systems metal roofs

With the holiday season, we get holiday weather. This can mean frost, sleet and snow storms — and if you’ve been good — the impending arrival of Santa with his sleigh and reindeer! Is your roof ready?

HOW TO WINTERIZE YOUR ROOF FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Clean Your Gutters

Often considered a fall activity, many people delay this task until winter hits, and by then it is much harder to perform. The problem with clogged gutters, which is what happens when leaves land on your roof, is that they create drainage problems and potential backup. This can cause water to pool and leak through your roof, which can cause major damage to the interior of your home or business and structural damage to the foundation.

Insulate Your Attic

A lot of heat can be lost through your roof if it is not properly insulated, resulting in huge utility bills. Furthermore, a roof that is not properly insulated can create ice dams, which is a major problem in the winter if melting snow pools on your metal roof.

Have Your Roof Inspected

If you can’t remember the last time your roof was inspected, then you need to have this done as soon as possible. A roof inspection is vital to the health of your roof. It’s crucial to catch holes and leaks early before they can cause major damage. Roof inspectors are trained to spot the tiniest holes, cracks or other signs of damage before they become problems.

Check Your Ventilation

Many people overlook the importance of a well-vented roof. Ventilation is crucial to the health of your roof since it ensures it functions properly. It removes stagnant, moist air and allows fresh air to circulate. It keeps the temperature of your roof even, which helps to prevent the formation of ice dams. And ventilation helps to keep mold, mildew, rust and other nuisances at bay.

Install Ice or Snow Guards

If you live in a place that gets a lot of snowfall, then you should definitely invest in ice or snow guards. Heavy snow can build up on top of your roof, which at some point can cause a mini-avalanche and take part of your roof and gutters with it. This can result in expensive roof repair bills. Mastershake installs proprietary ice guards on our metal roofs to protect against this dangerous buildup. In essence, these type of guards basically help the snow and ice to fall off your roof in small amounts, protecting your roof from damage.

Do Pest Patrol

Critters look for nice warm places to spend the winter, and your roof can make a great home for them. It’s warm, it’s protected, and it’s safe — exactly what they need to survive. Be on the lookout for squirrels, raccoons, mice, opossums and birds infiltrating your roof and and wreaking havoc both inside and outside. Keeping these pests away from your roof and attic is essential if you want to avoid major structural damage. Regular roof inspection and maintenance will help prevent expensive repairs caused by pests.

When the cold winter months hit, you want a roof that will hold up to cold weather. From modern trip and innovative strapping to detailed leveling and strong composition, the Mastershake roofing system has got what it takes to keep you warm and cozy during the long days.

Mastershake roofs are built to last, and our 50-year warranty backs up that claim. Plus they will help beautify your home! Contact us today!