Your Guide to A Healthy Winter Roof

1. Your Guide to A Healthy Winter Roof

2. While winter can spell disaster for some roofs, if you get yours checked over well in advance of the harshest weather conditions, you can keep it healthy for longer, and avoid costly, inconvenient repairs or even a roof replacement. With winter fast approaching, here are a few things to do to help your roof stay healthy until the spring: Check out the shingles While you might not be able to conduct a thorough examination of the shingles on your roof, you can at least check over the ones you can see from the ground, or a ladder (if not safe to do so, please leave it to the professionals). Are any shingles missing, is the roof ridge line sagging, or could any overhanging branches have caused damage?

3. For the ultimate pre-winter check-up, do reach out to a local roofing firm and have them carry out a more detailed inspection. Even if they find no issues, at least you’ll have peace of mind. Get your gutters clear Drains blocked with leaves and other debris can be a nightmare during the winter months when heavy snow and rain are typically expected. Water must be able to flow freely through the gutters to prevent your home from becoming damaged, and any water that gets stuck in the gutter, could freeze and lead to the foundations of your home becoming flooded. So, always check your gutters before winter strikes and unblock them if necessary.

4. Inspect your attic A simple trip up into your attic can help you detect problems such as leaks and structural damage, before they become bigger problems during the winter. Grab a flashlight and look out for the following: • Leaks– can you see any dripping water or water stains? • Ventilation – ensure that your attic vents are clear of all debris so that they can function effectively. • Pests – you might not see the pests themselves – which can include rats, bats and squirrels – but you might spot signs of their activity up there, such as gnawed wood or insulation.

5. Structural damage – if you spot any section of your roof sagging, this could indicate structural damage. Prune trees Keeping trees that are close to your roof trimmed and cut can help prevent them from causing damage in the event of a storm, and can save you a lot of money in costly roof repairs.

6. Look for ice dams Created in cold weather when heat escapes from your home, and goes on to melt and refreeze ice and snow already on the roof, ice dams are tricky to deal with and if left untended, can weaken the roof and the underlying structure; sometimes resulting in a full and extremely dangerous collapse of the entire roof. Having a professional roofing company evaluate your roof for ice dams before the onset of winter, and at any time during the colder months, can help prevent significant damage and alleviate the threat to the entire building.

7. To keep your roof in tip top condition throughout the winter months, have it assessed in the fall by a professional roofing company in your locality. RZ Construction Group Inc is a fully inclusive general contractor and roofing contractor in Astoria NY. From initial design to final clean up, our results speak for themselves. We are fully licensed, insured, and bonded to provide both commercial and residential construction services to customers in Astoria and the surrounding area. Proud to serve New York State for 25 years. No job is too small nor too big. If you are looking for roof repair contractor in Astoria NY or want to know more about our wide range of professional but affordable construction and repair services, reach out to us at (718) 938-9887.