Roof Maintenance in the Winter Months

Skywalker Roofing Company
Roof Maintenance in the Winter Months
February 10
By Luke Wilson | Roof Maintenance, Roofing Contractors

Where’s the SNOW?

Frankly, this is a question that many of us in the Southeast have been asking all winter. We realize that we’re blessed with generally milder winters down here, and for the most part that’s a good thing. We constantly hear from all the Northerners who continue to relocate here every year how much worse they had it in their frozen, wintry tundra. We get it. But no matter how bad it was for you “back up North,” we native Southerners still enjoy seeing some snow here from time to time. So, please don’t try and squelch our joy when we occasionally see a chance of the white stuff pop up in our 5-day forecast.

But as far as this season goes, we’ve had a pretty mild winter so far. And then to add insult to injury, The Groundhog had the audacity to go and see his shadow, so his unscientific prediction is that we’ll be having an even earlier spring. But fellow Southerners, you need not assume that all hope for snow is lost! Recall that we’ve actually had some big snows in March before, and some even as late as April. Also, here’s a fun meteorological fact for you: since he started his amateur forecasting gig back in 1887, Punxsutawney Phil (that old groundhog) has actually been WRONG almost twice as much as he’s been right!

  

Winter Is a Great Time to Check on the Condition of Your Roof

Whether it ends up snowing or not, one thing we’ve had plenty of this winter is rain… it’s even raining as I write this now. Persistent moisture can be a threat to the longevity of your roof, especially if you don’t take regular opportunities to do a little inspection and maintenance. Winter is actually a perfect time to check on your roof (as long as it isn’t snowy or icy!) for a number of reasons:

  • All the leaves have fallen.
  • The wasps, bees, hornets, and other annoying pests are essentially dormant.
  • It’s easier to check the roof when temperatures are on the cool side, versus the warmer months when it can be downright oppressively hot and muggy out there.
  • Think of all the energy you’ve been saving by not having to mow the lawn; might as well put some of that energy to good use!

In conducting your own winter roof self-check, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Remove Roof Debris

After the storms of summer and fall have passed, there’s a fair chance that some debris may still be left on your roof. This is a good time to pull off any limbs or other debris that may remain. The longer those items stay on your roof, the more damage they can end up doing to shingles or other roofing materials. If you’re not comfortable getting up on the roof yourself, entrust this task to a local roofing professional.

  • Clean Out Those Gutters

If you have roof gutters, now’s a good time to pull out any leaves or other organic material that may have collected over the fall. Gutters that don’t flow properly can’t do their job properly. Clogged gutters can put undue stress on your roof’s edges, and can also cause water to back up and do some real damage to your roof and to your home’s infrastructure. Alternatively, winter is also a great time to have gutter guards installed, so you never have to clean out those gutters again!

  • Trim Back Those Branches

Winter is also a good time to do some pruning of the branches that overhang your roof, as well as of the trees that are in close proximity to your home. Since all the leaves are down, the branches are a little easier to work with, and you’ll also have better visibility of where you may need to cut. Plus, if what’s left of winter should end up producing a heavy snow or ice storm, weakened branches can break off and result in damaging your roof or other aspects of your home.

  • Schedule a Professional Inspection

Doing regular self-checks of your roof is always a good idea, but nothing beats having the trained eye of a roofing professional perform a more thorough inspection. A modest investment in some preventive roof inspection and maintenance could really save you a lot of money later. The right roofing inspector may be able to identify an issue that can be solved with some simple repairs, which is actually a lot cheaper than doing nothing now and ending up having to pay for a costly roof replacement sooner than you would like.

 

Let the Pros at Skywalker Roofing Help

Many roofing contractors are more interested in getting your money than they are in actually helping you. Don’t fall into their trap! Instead, partner with an honest, reputable, local roofing provider who will help you to consider all your options, including simple roof repairs when appropriate.

Skywalker Roofing works on all types of roofs, both residential and commercial. We offer trusted roof repair services, and we also provide the very best in roofing installation and replacement services. Call us at +1 (336) 627-5596 and let’s schedule a time for your FREE initial roof assessment and personal consultation!

Skywalker is one of the highest-rated, most-awarded roofing contractors serving the NC Piedmont Triad, Piedmont Triangle, Charlotte Metro, and Roanoke, VA areas, and we’re here to help take care of all your roofing needs. Reach out to us today at +1 (336) 627-5596, and experience the Skywalker Roofing difference for yourself!

Luke Wilson

Luke Wilson

Owner - Skywalker Roofing

Luke Wilson started working on roofs with his dad when he was a teenager, and eventually launched Skywalker Roofing in 2003. Skywalker operates in 5 locations across NC & VA, and now includes windows, siding, and other exterior services. Luke also hosts the popular Roofing Mythbusters series on YouTube.

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