What to do, where to start, and how we can help make sure it’s in tip-top shape as the seasonal rain and cold hit.
Though you may not be ready to say goodbye to fall just yet, the winter season is officially upon us. This means we need to prep our homes for the rainier, snowier, colder weather that winter brings. Just as you maintain the inside of your home, your lawn, and your gardens at key times throughout the year, it’s important to check on your roof to ensure it is in tip-top shape to withstand the rain, sleet, hail, and snow that we will inevitably experience in 2022.
So! When it comes to checking in on your roof’s well-being, where do you start?
First things first, before you start anything, it’s important to decide whether or not you’re able to check out your roof safely on your own. If you aren’t, then call in the professionals – that means us! – and we’ll head on over to complete a thorough assessment of everything. That includes shingles, gutters, skylights, eaves troughs, roof materials, framing, attics, and chimneys. We have the skills, manpower, and experience to do it all and do it right.
If you are able to make your way up on the roof, then keep on reading. We have some good advice to help you make the most of your time up there.
Things like twigs, nuts, leaves, missing Frisbees, or hockey pucks can easily get caught up on your roof and affect the efficacy of your shingles. Avoiding debris buildup means avoiding any of the issues (or even erosion) that can come from the debris on your roof. Shingles wear over time, but this debris will speed up that process.
You heard us! This should be a regular practice, so if you haven’t cleaned your gutters in a season or two, this is your sign to get out there and clean them! Our house gutters tend to grab quite a bit of that fallen debris—especially when it rains or it’s very windy. One quick trick we find super handy is to use a spatula to remove all the leaves, dirt, and debris. It keeps your hands safe and is a much easier way to remove everything in a flash. Spatulas can help to wipe or scrape off any of the grime sticking to those gutters as well.
After you’ve cleaned out your gutters, a good tool for the fall/winter/spring seasons is a gutter guard. These are especially helpful in winter when snow can block and weigh down the gutters. Need help finding a good gutter guard? We can help with that and then install it too!
The cold weather comes quickly and the last thing you want is to needlessly let in the cold when you’re trying to keep warm. So check out that attic of yours and make sure it’s insulated well and with good insulation. If it’s not or you need more insulation installed, give us a call. We aren’t afraid to get up in your attic spaces.
When you’re up on your roof, it’s a good idea to take a little extra time to look for holes or missing shingles and fix up what needs fixing. Even over a short time, small leaks can lead to big problems, such as mold, rotted framing, and sheathing, destroyed insulation and damaged ceilings. When trying to track down a leak, start by looking at the roof uphill for any stains that may be visible to the eye. Look for any roof penetrations. Items that penetrate the roof are by far the most common source of leaks. If you have attic access, the easiest way to track down a leak is to go up there with a flashlight and look for the evidence. There will be water stains, black marks, or mold. But if access is a problem or you have a vaulted ceiling, you’ll have to go up onto the roof and examine it that way – or give us a call! Friendly reminder: a thorough check on the status of your attic and roof before our extreme cold Vancouver weather hits is always wise because fixing holes or shingles in the winter, although it can be done, won’t necessarily be fun for you and your family.
This is one we tend to overlook because it’s not overtly related to roof maintenance. But it’s directly related and quite important! Trees with overhanging branches are the main reason leaves, sticks, nuts, and other debris fall in your gutters in the first place. Trimming back your trees is a great way to reduce the number of leaves falling during the fall and early winter. Not only that, but if your trees are close to your roof, it helps prevent the branches from rubbing against its surface.
We know that roof maintenance isn’t always on the top of your to-do list and we know that it’s tedious work, but we promise it’s all very well worth it. All of the work you do will set you up for a safe winter and offer a longer lifespan to your roof. Plus, and this is from a team of professional roofers, it is much cheaper to have your roof maintained regularly throughout the year than having it critically repaired or entirely replaced at an inopportune time.
And remember! You don’t have to do any of the repairs or inspections yourself. That’s what we’re here for! To take on this roof, gutter, and attic tasks so that you don’t have to. You stay safe and warm, and we do our job employing safety precautions to prevent accidents, using the latest technology to find sources of leaks, mold, debris, and sending over the right crew to get it all done right.
Whether you have a sloped or flat/low slope roofing system, metal roofing, or torch on roofing, Affordable Quality Roofing has you covered. Our team is fully insured, manufacturer-certified, and highly trained to bring you the best roofing service with the utmost care and professionalism.
Let us winterize your roof today! Give us a call or send an email.
EMAIL: info@affordablequalityroofing.com CALL: 604-984-9004
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Dear Walter And The Affordable Quality Roofing Team, We have to congratulate you for a job well done. Why we choose Affordable Quality Roofing? Walter went the extra mile... read more
Christel And Helmut – North Vancouver, BC