When it comes to the weather in Royal Oak Michigan, we all know that winter can be a bit unpredictable. It seems that every form of weather shows itself one way or another in those notorious winter months. During this winter season your home’s roof can certainly take a beating and if it’s not up to the task you may find yourself needing emergency roof repair in Royal Oak Michigan. There are some things you can do to ensure your roof is protected. We’ll cover 4 tips to help your home protect you this winter.
4 Steps a Homeowner Can Take to Prevent a Damage to your Roof in Royal Oak Michigan this Winter
Is your home ready for winter? Are you confident that, come what may, your home will withstand all the snow, ice, or wind? If you do what you can to make sure that your home is snug and tight during those long months, no unpredictable damage should happen to your home with all that unpredictable weather.
Don’t know where to start? It’s definitely important to do things like check the integrity of the seals around your windows and doors, and other things like that, but one of the most important (yet possibly most overlooked) areas of your home is your roof. There are a few things you as a homeowner can do as preventative measures to secure the roof’s integrity:
- Inspect the gutters. It doesn’t seem like damaged gutters can cause other, more severe damage, but they can. Look for rusty or loose clamps and gutters, and look for signs of gutters pulling away from the roof. Also look for clogs and buildup in the gutters (it’s recommended to clean the gutters out in the fall and again in the spring). Any of these things can lead to water overflow, which can then damage the shingles and siding, and in winter months cause ice buildup and slick patches of ice below.
- Remove all icicles and snow. If a snow or ice storm comes through your area, all that accumulated precipitation can be too heavy for the roof and gutters, so it’s best to remove it. And even if it’s only a light snow followed by sunshine, that snow will melt and refreeze, pushing up under and damaging the shingles. Also, depending on the slope of your roof, that buildup of snow and ice can suddenly come loose and cause a small but dangerous avalanche.
- Trim surrounding trees. One huge problem that happens once the ice and snow start to fall is branches from trees falling on the roof and damaging it. This is especially problematic for tree branches that overhand the roof. Even if the branch doesn’t break and fall on the roof it can be weighted down which scrubs the roof removing granules from the roof and can dislodge shingles and other roofing components. Trim any trees before winter to help prevent this problem from occurring on your home’s roof.
- Have your roof inspected. Before winter even rolls around, schedule an inspection so that you’ll have time to have any necessary repairs fixed before the snow flies. This takes care of any minor issues (like weak spots in the roof or loose shingles) before they have a chance to cause possible major damage in the winter.
For how important it is to keep a strong, tight roof, it’s definitely not as complicated as one might expect. Add these steps to your regular chore list to ensure your home will be dry and safe and snug through those cold months.
If you’re unable to do any of these things yourself, if you have any questions, or if you do find some damage that needs a little work, don’t hesitate to call your local roofing contractor in Royal Oak Michigan. Any hesitation increases the chances for the weather to weaken your roof, and your contractor will be able to work with you to resolve any of these issues. It’s always advised that you don’t go on the roof yourself as this can be extremely dangerous. Hiring a roofing contractor to inspect and make repairs is always advised. One of the best in the area is Royal Oak Remodeling Contractor. Be sure to give them a call at 248-509-8010 for more information and get a roof inspection on your home before the winter gets here.
