Many homeowners do not pay attention to their roof until a problem arises, but by preparing your roof ahead of stormy weather, you may be able to prevent damage and avoid major repair costs. While it can be a minor inconvenience to prep your roof, getting ahead of the weather and getting your roof in order can save you a huge headache (and a lot of money) down the road.
Why It’s Important to Prep Your Roof
We take our roofs for granted most of the time, but in reality, they are one of the biggest factors when it comes to our home comfort! One leak can be an annoyance, but significant storm damage? That can put you out of your home for a period of time.
The winter season is one of the riskiest for homes. Snow, rain, hail, wind—all of these elements can wreak havoc on your roof, and if it’s not ready to take that kind of assault, you could end up having to file a home insurance claim before the season is up. Taking small steps to ensure the integrity of your roof can really make things easier for you down the road.
When’s the Best Time to Prep Your Roof for Winter?
The most ideal time to prepare your roof for winter storms is before the temperatures start to drop. But even if you wait a little too long to get around to it, it is better to have it inspected a little late than not to winterize your roof at all! All it takes is one storm to cause significant damage, so if your roof hasn’t been looked at in a while, we highly recommend you schedule an inspection sooner than later.
Benefits to Getting Your Roof Inspected Before Winter
How to Prep Your Roof
The short and sweet of it is inspecting your roof and addressing any potential problems before they arise, so your home has a much better chance of weathering the storm.
Have Your Roof Inspected by an Expert
Although you may be tempted to check out your roof on your own, having a roofing expert like our team at Indy Roof & Restoration inspect your roof instead gives you peace of mind that no stone was left unturned. Our team has exceptional industry knowledge and is extremely thorough, so we are able to recognize potential concerns that the average homeowner may not notice.
Things to Look for When Inspecting Your Roof:
- Broken or missing shingles
- Leaks or sitting water
- Poorly installed or damaged chimney flashing
- Broken or blocked gutters or downspouts
- Holes or nesting materials from animals
Trim Trees Near Your Roof
If you have any trees near your house, having the branches trimmed can prevent damage. High winds can cause branches to break off, leading to issues like broken shingles, cracked tiles, or even a gaping hole in your roof. Overhanging branches can also block gutters and downspouts, causing ice dams to form.
For smaller branches and more accessible areas, you may be able to do this task yourself, but bigger trees may require a professional tree trimmer.
Have Your Gutters Cleaned
This step is so simple, but so vital, to protecting the integrity of your roof. Leaves, dirt, and other debris can cause buildup over time and start rotting, which causes structural damage to the roof. The other risk is that if water, snow, or ice start to build up too much, they can actually cause the gutter to break away from the house.
Add Extra Support to Your Roof
If you live in an area where there is heavy snowfall, it’s essential to make sure that your roof can withstand the weight of it—and it’s wise to prepare for more snow than you would typically get. Often, roofs have specific areas where they might bear more weight than others. To avoid storm damage, you can make sure those areas are reinforced.
Some ways you may be able to add roof support include:
- Adding roof insulation
- Installing snow guards
- Reinforcing roof trusses
- Adding ice and water shield underlayment
If you think adding roof support may be a good option for you, talk to your local roofing expert. They can give you friendly guidance and confirm whether your roof is in need of some extra structural support.
Winterize the Roof Sprinkler System (If Applicable)
If you have a sprinkler system on your roof, it is important to winterize it before it gets too cold to prevent damage to the system. In addition to draining the pipes, make sure your remove sprinkler heads, repair or replace any broken pipes, and cover the valve box with insulation.
Pay Attention to Your Chimney
Chimney flashing creates a waterproof layer that protects your roof from damage. Before deep winter hits, make sure you inspect the chimney flashing and take note of any damage or areas that need repair. Ignoring small problems could lead to major issues, especially if you have a lot of snow or rain during the season.
Bonus: Get to Know Your Insurance Policy
In the unfortunate circumstance that you suffer storm damage during the winter season, having a good grasp of your homeowner’s insurance policy before the incident occurs can lift a lot of weight off your shoulders in a stressful moment. We recommend getting to know your insurance policy now and talking to your provider about what the claims process looks like. If you do have to use that knowledge, you’ll already have an idea of what that entails and be able to focus your energy on more important things.
Top Roofing Experts in Indianapolis
If you’re located in the Indianapolis area, and would like to schedule a roof inspection to prepare your home for winter, please give our team at Indy Roof & Restoration a call. We pride ourselves on making the roof repair process as painless as possible for our customers and offering compassionate, friendly guidance so that you can make the best decision for your home.