With storms getting worse and temperatures plummeting, your roof will be under more pressure than ever before.
Winter’s here and if you haven’t already made sure your roof is weather proof, now is the perfect time!
By winter-proofing it before the worst of the winter weather hits, you can keep your family and friends safe and warm – no matter what the weather outside.
Top Tips to Winter-Proof Your Roof
1. Do a thorough check – take a walk around your home and take note of any problems you can see from ground level.
Next, go inside your attic and check for any internal damages. Check for any signs of leaks – unusual stains, pools of water or mould.
You’ll need to do an inspection of the external roof up close. If you don’t feel comfortable climbing onto your roof, please hire a qualified roofing contractor to do this check for you.
2. Cut away overhanging plants, bushes and trees.
Both wind and snow can cause some serious damage if they get a hold of loose branches.
If you do find any overhanging plants or sections of tree that are close to your home, it’s best to trim them back now, rather than wait for any potential problems later. It’s worse to deal with a branch crashing through your window or swiping a hole in your roof during a storm than dealing with it now!
Be mindful of any nearby phone lines and cables close to your home, make sure there aren’t any overhanging branches near them too.
3. Clear out your gutters
If you feel safe doing so, remove any debris, litter or leaves from your guttering. If you’re not comfortable getting up a ladder, please call in the professionals to do it for you!
You want a clean pathway from your roof, through the gutters, on to the downspouts and down the drain for all the excess rain and melted snow that might be heading your way over winter.
It’s incredibly important to flush out your downspouts for the plummeting temperatures over winter; standing water can easily freeze and cause significant damage to your guttering system.
4. Check for pests
You might think winter would cause any unwanted lodgers to leave, but that’s not the case. When temperatures dip, wildlife will be desperate to find somewhere warm and dry. Check your attic space for any weaknesses in your roof that mice, rats and squirrels might burrow into.
5. Replace any loose or broken tiles
Loose tiles can easily be lifted off in a storm or high winds. It’s best to get small roof repairs done while they’re still small – the longer you leave them, the more chance they can develop into larger (and more expensive) problems. If your roof is over 20 years old, it might be time to install a new roof.
6. Check joints and extensions
Thoroughly examine areas where two different types of materials meet, like your chimneys, gutters and built-on extensions. These places are prone to leakages because different materials often don’t bond well and can separate over time.
A roofing professional will seal up cracks and holes using a silicone sealant or expanding foam, making sure to use a fire-proof foam around chimneys and other areas that could be exposed to high heat.
7. Remove heavy snow
As soon as a heavy snow has settled, make sure to get rid of as much of it off your roof as possible. Get a stiff bristle hard brush and dislodge any build-up of snow when it’s safe to do so. Snow is surprisingly heavy and if left on your roof, might expose an unseen weakness and result in a leak.
A trustworthy Dublin roofing company will be happy to help you, whatever your needs may be and here at D.Hennessy Roofing is no different! We have been serving the people of Dublin for over 25 years.
We are fully licensed, insured and certified Dublin roofers. D.Hennessy Roofing is a trusted member of the National Guild of Master Craftsmen. When you choose D.Hennessy Roofing, you can rest assured your roof is in the right hands.
We offer a free quotation for any roofing work you need & a free emergency roofing repair call out service in Dublin. Just call us today on (01) 830 4004 or request a free call back here.