Winter is a rough season for a roof, especially in a climate that sees a lot of inclement weather and cold temperatures. Knowing what to do as a homeowner can save you significant time, energy, and hassle. Although you may already have a lot on your plate, knowing essential roof safety tips could prevent damage to your home and harm to a loved one. The following are some roof safety tips to keep in mind as winter approaches and brings cold and wintry conditions with it.
Don’t Go on the Roof Alone
As tempting as it might be to do a quick trip up to the roof to check things out, it’s never a good idea, nor is it a good idea to inspect your roof yourself even if you have someone standing there with you. It’s especially hazardous if the conditions are terrible. One slip due to ice, snow, or rain could put you in a horrible situation in an instant. It’s better to call a professional with the proper equipment, experience, and skills to evaluate the issue and determine the next steps you need to take.
Remove as Much Snow as Possible
This isn’t a task a homeowner should do on their own or even with the help of someone else. Homeowners often think it’ll be easy to knock a seemingly small patch of snow off their roof, but many have been easily fooled by an avalanche of snow cascading down and falling on top of them. It’s better to let the professionals remove the snow, which helps protect your roof and your safety at the same time.
Cut Landscaping Away From the Roof
If you haven’t already done so, contact landscapers to cut branches away from your roof. It’s ideal to have this done in the fall once all the leaves fall off to give arborists a better look at the tree’s condition.
Branches too close to the roof can cause them to crash through the structure during a particularly windy day or rough storm. Other branches might not seem very close but can get much closer if they get damaged and/or weighed down by heavy snow. The sooner you have the tree trimmed back away from your home, the better.
Know What to Do About Ice
Let’s talk about ice hanging off your gutters. For starters, it’s essential to avoid walking directly underneath hanging icicles as they could drop off at a moment’s notice and injure you. If you’re taking your pet for a walk or your child is heading out the door, keep them out of the direct path as well.
Many homeowners try to pull icicles off if they’re hanging down, but this can be problematic as you could potentially damage your roof and gutters in the process, especially if you’re pulling multiple icicles off at once. Let them melt on their own, but stay out of their path in the meantime.
It’s also important to note that icicles hanging off your gutters could signify trouble. They may indicate that your gutters are clogged and an ice dam has formed, putting your roof at risk for damage. A professional needs to come in to check and clean out your gutters, which could help prevent roof damage and further icicles from forming.
Request Help With Decorating
Many homeowners think that they can handle putting up holiday lights on their roofs, but countless people have been injured trying to do exactly that. It’s better to hire someone to do them for you so they can get it done quickly, safely, and with the right equipment. There’s no shame in asking a professional for help so you can enjoy the safety and warmth of the indoors while still having your home beautifully decorated for the holidays.
Check the Roof After Major Winter Storms
This doesn’t mean you should be climbing ladders to check the condition of your roof after a major storm, but try to look from ground level and out your (closed) windows for any obvious signs of roof damage. You should also check the ceiling of your upper floor to ensure there are no leaks right after the storm and during the next time it rains.
If you see any damage and/or suspect that you have damage, such as if you spot missing shingles or notice a leak forming on your ceiling, call a professional sooner rather than later. They’ll need to evaluate the extent of the damage, potentially put up an emergency tarp, and make recommendations about what to do next to prevent the damage from worsening.
Schedule a Roof Inspection
The fall and spring are the two ideal times to get a professional roof inspection before significant inclement weather starts to invade the area. When you get the roof inspected in the fall, you have time to complete the necessary repairs so your roof is in top shape for winter. A roofer will go on the roof, ensure there’s no damage like missing shingles or sagging, check the roof’s integrity, and make any repair recommendations if necessary.
Make Repairs Quickly
Some homeowners who get exceptionally busy during the holiday season put off hiring a roofer to do repairs, but it’s a mistake that could lead to consequential issues that could cost you unnecessary time and money and a lot more stress. Dealing with roof repairs as soon as you notice them is beneficial for preventing the problems from worsening, which can cause significantly more damage to your roof and the interior of your home, costing you much more than you would have initially paid.
Even if the roofers can’t make the repairs right then and there due to the weather conditions, they can at least put down emergency roof tarping to prevent further damage to your roof and your home’s interior. It’s a temporary fix that can be a huge, quick help, especially if another storm is on the way.
Clean Your Gutters
Clogged gutters won’t allow snow and water to drain properly from your roof. This can result in numerous problems and safety hazards, including a sagging roof, roof leaks, and mold. Get your gutters cleaned out before winter, and then keep checking throughout the season to ensure debris doesn’t build up again.
Hiring a professional to clean them out is the safest option if it does. Avoid doing it yourself, as it can be dangerous, especially if you have an exceptionally high roof. They can also advise you on how to prevent the problem from continuing to happen.
Keep the previously mentioned winter roof safety tips in mind to protect your home and the people and pets in and near it. Contact Jimmy's Roofing in Idaho, Washington, or Oregon for a comprehensive array of residential roof services, including inspections, roof repairs, coating, replacements, maintenance, and more. Appointments are available in advance and for same-day and emergency services.
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