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.