Winter Roof Maintenance Tips

Taking some time to winterize your home can save you lots of money in costly repair expenses, all while preserving the integrity of your home throughout the colder months.

At Nu Look Home Design, we encourage customers to perform a regular winter maintenance routine on their homes before the weather gets too severe.

Before it gets too cold out, here are some things you want to take care of:

1.    Cleaning Your Gutters

Cleaning out the gutters routinely is an important step for keeping your roof in good condition. Gutters need to be cleaned on a regular basis year-round, but especially just before the wintertime.

Fallen leaves can quickly clog up the gutter system and when gutters are clogged, water may overflow and run down your home. This may eventually deteriorate your home’s foundation and your basement, creating a variety of issues.

2.    Inspect Your Siding

Old or damaged siding may put the safety of your home at risk. Having new siding installed before the winter will protect your home from the cold months.

3.    Upgrade to Storm Windows or Doors

An easy way to reduce heat loss is simply by installing storm windows or doors in your home. These products are especially helpful for homes that have single-paned glass windows that poorly insulate during the colder months.

4.    Get a Roof Inspection

A winter home maintenance would not be complete without a thorough inspection of the roof. In doing so, it allows you to proactively identify signs that may indicate the need for a roof replacement before damage gets too disruptive.

If you identify any of the following signs when inspecting the roof, you may need to start thinking about a replacement:

• • Missing or Damaged Shingles

Missing shingles or damaged shingles can be caused by several things including storms, improper installation, normal wear and tear, or simply the age of your shingles.

A roof that is missing shingles is not being properly protected. Get a free roof inspection with our experts at Nu Look Home Design to determine whether this issue may be fixed or if a roof replacement may be needed.

If there is an abundance of shingles that are damaged, it may be a sign that the shingles have simply exhausted their lifespan.

• • Moisture and Water Damage

If there are visible signs of dropped-in or sagging areas of your roof, this may be indicative of a moisture issue. It’s important to identify the source and address the issue of the moisture as well as whether or not the roof may need to be replaced altogether before the damage worsens.

Look for water spots on the ceiling, in the attic, or along your walls. Water may be leaking from roof damage caused by storms or condensation trapped around vents.

The presence of moss on the roof is also a clear indicator that there is trapped moisture.

5. The Overall Age of the Roof

We all know that nothing lasts forever, and your roof is no exception. While a high-quality roof should last about 20 years, there will always come a time when it needs to be replaced.

If you are approaching the end of the lifespan of your roof, it’s best to invest in a new one before the expenses of costly roof repair add up.

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Contact Nu Look Home Design for a free roof inspection as part of a winter-ready roof routine by calling 410-636-1650.