Damage to the roof during the winter season may be unavoidable, but it doesn’t mean that there’s nothing that you can do to keep it to a minimum. In today’s post, Ken Morton & Sons LLC shares a quick guide to mitigating winter roof damage.
One of the best things that you can do for your roof is to keep up with its routine maintenance requirements. This includes annual appointments with your roofer, as well as periodic visual inspections and timely repairs. Basically, roofs are more durable when they’re as close to monolithic as can be. Punctures, cracks and other kinds of damage only get exacerbated by continued exposure to the elements. Regular inspections provide the opportunity to fix small issues before they become worse during the winter season.
Roof insulation does more than just keep your home comfortable during the heating and cooling seasons — it also helps prevent ice dam formation during winter. Ice dams form when heat from the attic raises the roof temperature to above freezing, which melts the snow on top. As the meltwater flows towards the roof’s edge, it refreezes and eventually forms a ridge instead of flowing into the gutters. Addressing insulation issues in the attic can help maintain optimal roof temperature and prevent ice dams.
Most people consider gutters as a separate system, but they are very much a part of the roof and therefore deserve the same amount of care you’d devote to the former. Keeping the gutters clear before the winter season can help prevent problems like cracking caused by frozen standing water, gutters falling off from the weight of the ice, and the aforementioned ice dams.
If your roof is due for a replacement, don’t skimp on the materials. A quality roof may cost more, but the savings derived from features like enhanced protection from the elements, fire and wind ratings, and expanded warranties make the additional cost worth it. Such roofs are also less likely to incur damage that requires expensive repairs, and if it does, warranties and homeowners’ insurance will cover most of the repair costs.
It’s not too late to have your roof inspected by a roofing professional. Give our team at Ken Morton & Sons LLC a call at (856) 582-8800, or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve Woodstown, NJ, and the surrounding communities.