At the height of winter, temperatures in Canada sink below anything you’ve ever experienced. While people in the South don’t have to worry about freezing temperatures, those from Eastern Canada experience short, harsh winters. Cars don’t start and you get snowfalls almost at any time. If you want to live comfortably when the temperatures plunge, get things taken care of. More precisely, prep your roof for the cold months of the year.
Don’t ignore this very important task. This will help reduce many of the costs and dangers associated with cold winter weather. There’s no better time than now to assess the wear and tear on your roof and prepare for the cold season. Use this practical checklist. It won’t do the work for you, but it’ll remind you of all the tasks that need to be completed.
Clean the eavestroughs like a pro
The eavestrough is meant to remove the water from the roof and make sure that it drains away from the building. If until now you haven’t paid to much attention to this essential part of your home, do it now. Eavestroughs have a tendency to collect debris. If you don’t keep them clean, the dirt will fall along the foundation of the house, which can lead to cracks. In extreme situations, the debris can cause fracture and excessive deformations. If the water should happen to build up, the outcome is serious damage to the roof, siding, and trim. As you can see, inspecting and cleaning out the eavestroughs is of paramount importance.
Something to look out for when you’re concerned about the surface water collection channel is overflow. This is usually the result of a blockage which can be corrected immediately. Remove anything you can find. This includes leaves, shingle granules, and broken tree limbs. Equally important is to pay attention to the fasteners. Are they a little bit loose? Do the fasteners look damaged? If the answer is yes, you need to do something. Secure them with the help of steel screws and plastic ferrules. Simply insert the screws in the existing holes in front of the eavestroughs.
There are risks to not keeping your eyes on the eavestroughs. If you don’t monitor this important part of the home’s exterior, you’ll have to deal with clogs. As you know very well, clogs lead to leaks. Water pooling around your dwelling is one of the worst things that can happen. Needless to say, the water can damage the foundation and compromise the integrity of your home. The building is made of concrete and concrete absorbs water. You get the point. Just so you know, the damage is irreparable.
Schedule a roof inspection
Maybe you need a new roof before winter. There’s no way of knowing for sure until you have an inspection performed. A professional assessment, executed by technicians with experience in this area, will unveil if there are issues and if it’s necessary to carry out reparations. Is this really necessary? Yes, because it’s not easy to tell in what condition the roof is from the way it looks. Before the winter comes, get a professional up on the roof. The professional will look for signs of deterioration and degradation, such as rust spots, shingles which are curling or blistering, cracked and worn vent pipes, black algae stains, and the list doesn’t end here.
It’s not recommended to wait until you see serious damage to replace the roof. According to the experts at Cherry and Clark Roofing , getting a full replacement is necessary, especially if the roof is more than 10 years old. The reason for this is that it has reached the age limit. Trying to repair the roof will do more harm than good. It’s better to have a new one. A new roof means advantages for the homeowner. If you don’t see the point in this course of action, maybe these arguments will change your mind:
- Increased property value – Adding a new roof increases the resale value of your home. A bad roof, on the other hand, won’t allow you to maintain good value.
- ROI – Sure, a new roof will cost you a couple of dollars, but it’s totally worth it. the estimated ROI is about 70 percent.
- Energy efficiency – Replacing your roof can increase its efficiency. The less cold gets into your home, the more comfortable it will be. Invest in a new roof and save on your heating bills.
Know when it’s time to replace your roof. Just so you know, you can have it replaced in the winter as well. It’s just that it’s a little bit more complicated, as the temperatures fall below freezing. If you do decide to install a new roof, work with licensed professionals. They will know if it’s required to use hand-sealing and how to deal with the abnormal air temperatures. You may be tempted to do this yourself, but keep in mind that it’s not a good idea.
Inspect the attic insulation
What insulation does is prevent the warm air from escaping during the winter. In the summertime, it does the exact same opposite. Attic insulation is a great place to start when making adjustments for the upcoming season. Check the insulation in the attic and determine if it’s due an upgrade. If the insulation is ineffective it doesn’t prevent heat loss from the home and neither does it allow you to control temperatures.
Ineffective insulation can lead to something that is called the chimney effect. It refers to the movement of the air inside and outside the building. It’ll increase your heating bills and make your home a lot draftier. Winter is just around the corner, so you’ll want to check the insulation and look out for signs of damage.
How are you supposed to know if there is enough insulation in your attic? Well, if you live in an older home, chances are that there are some issues. Carry out a visual inspection to be sure. If the level is below the joists, it’s necessary to add more insulation. Blanket insulation is the best choice . The R-value is somewhere between 3.1 and 3.8.
A well-maintained roof will save a great deal of trouble. So, get to work.