Land Roofing OKC

Winter weather is tough on any roofing system and can result in leaks, water damage, missing and broken shingles, or damage to flashing and underlayment. Here are a four ways you can protect your roof from harsh winter weather.

Clean your gutters

Clean your gutters to remove any leaves, twigs, and other debris. Your gutters are an important part of protecting your roof because they allow water and melting snow to drain properly. If they’re clogged and water can’t drain, you could end up with leaks, water damage, and even mold or mildew.

Trim nearby trees

Most Oklahomans are pretty familiar with ice storms, and you’ve probably seen what happens when trees are coated in half an inch of ice. If those tree limbs snap under the weight of ice or snow, it can cause serious damage to your roof.

It’s a good idea to trim back any branches that are hanging over your home. It reduces the chance of broken limbs falling on your roof during winter weather, and it also reduces the amount of leaves that can collect on your roof and in your gutters. Normally, you would want to do this in the fall. However, you can still trim low-hanging tree limbs in the winter.

Insulate and ventilate your attic

While your attic may seem like an empty area or perhaps extra storage space, it also serves an important role in allowing heat to escape from your home. But that only happens if the attic is properly insulated and ventilated. In the absence of proper insulation and ventilation, hot air rises and creates condensation, which can lead to further problems. The excess heat in the attic can also cause snow on the roof to melt. If it’s cold enough for that melting snow to refreeze, it can create ice dams and cause serious leaks.

Schedule an inspection

A roof inspection helps prepare your roof for winter and can identify small issues to be fixed before snow and ice arrives. It could mean the difference between a quick fix and pricier repairs in the future.

Call us to schedule your first roof maintenance plan visit and start protecting your home today.

Many homeowners are unaware algae can grow on your roof, but it’s becoming more of an issue. You can see it driving down almost any street, no matter how nice or how new the homes are. Algae isn’t mold, mildew, moss, or tree sap. It’s actually tiny bacteria that produces a dark material to protect itself from the sun.

What makes algae hard to stop is that the bacteria travels on the wind. The more humid the area, the more you can have algae growing on your roof. While algae does very little damage to your roof, it can leave unsightly stains and discoloration. Not to mention it can really hurt the value of your home.

Here are a few ways to help prevent algae from growing on your roof. Before you attempt to clear the algae, it is a good idea to consult with a roofing professional to have your roof inspected and treated properly.

Buy algae-resistant shingles

Recently, many roofing manufacturers have noticed algae growing on roofs, especially in more humid areas. To combat this issue, manufacturers began mixing copper granules into roofing products to produce algae-resistant shingles. While these shingles aren’t always used, they are available and can be a good choice for roofs in areas with high humidity.

Clean with chemicals

While algae stains aren’t pretty, they can be removed using a variety of cleaning products that also help keep the algae from growing back for a while. However, it’s important to use caution when using chemicals on your roof, as you don’t want to void the manufacturer’s warranty on your shingles by using the wrong product.

If cleaning your roof with chemicals, be sure to use proper safety equipment, including safety goggles, rubber gloves, safety rope, slip-resistant shoes, and the right ladder.

Algae prevention

In order to keep algae from returning once your roof is clean, you can install a strip of copper or zinc coated sheet metal along each side of the roof just below the ridge. Copper and galvanized sheet metal are available in rolls of various widths and thickness and can be found at your local metal or hardware store or purchased online.

When it comes to algae or other stains on your roof, there are some do-it-yourself options, but we always recommend having a professional come out to inspect your roof to ensure you don’t cause unwanted damage in your attempts to clean it yourself. Contact us today to schedule a free roof inspection.