It isn’t quite here yet, but Western New York’s wintery weather is on the way. It’s time to prepare your home for the snow and ice that’s to come. As your Rochester, NY, roofing experts, we have compiled some tips for keeping your home safe and preventing damage from the winter season.
Clean Out Your Gutters
Cleaning out your gutters before winter hits is extremely important. Leaves and other debris should be removed to ensure the gutter system is clear and functional for winter.
During the winter season, snow can melt on the middle of your roof, get stuck in clogged gutters, and re-freeze. This creates an ice dam. As snow continues to melt, there’s nowhere for the water to go, so it can seep into the roof, causing leaks and damage.
If an ice dam develops, try using a chemical de-icer. Use an ice pick to gently chip away at the ice, removing it piece by piece from the gutter. The goal is to make it so that water can flow freely from the gutters when the ice and snow melt.
Icicles may look festive, but they can be an indicator that you’re on your way to an ice dam. Knock the icicles off with a broom or snow rake, being careful not to knock down the gutter.
Check Your Shingles
Take some time this fall to clear debris off your shingles, especially mold. You don’t want the mold to spread into your home during the winter months.
High winds can blow off shingles, leaving your roof exposed and susceptible to leaks. Take a look at your roof. Are you missing shingles? Are your shingles buckled, cracked, or curled? Consider a new roof before the snow flies. A new roof will protect your home from the effects of snow, wind, and cold.
Oaks Construction can still fit you into our roofing schedule before wintery weather hits. Contact us at 585.247.OAKS for a free estimate.
