The festivities are here, and you are busy having a whole lot of fun. However, you may not have thought about preparing your roof for the winter storms that lay ahead. Many homeowners mistakenly put off checking their roofs because they are focused on enjoying time with family and friends. If you see a few cracked shingles or a bit of loose flashing near the chimney, you might think, “I’ll deal with that next spring,” but that is a risky thought, especially because winter weather can be unpredictable.
When a huge snowstorm or a powerful winter rain hits your area, that small crack can let in water, which then damages your attic and the ceilings inside your house. If you take the time to inspect your roof and hire a professional to do a quick check before the worst weather arrives, you can prevent a truly miserable emergency. Here are some common errors to avoid.
Overdoing Decorations and Damaging Shingles
Putting up exterior decorations is one of the most exciting parts of the season, and a beautiful light display can truly lift everyone’s spirits. However, some homeowners make a big mistake by carelessly attaching lights and decorations to their roofs. People sometimes use nails or staples to secure strings of lights directly into the shingles, which make holes that can allow water to seep inside the house. Because shingles are the main line of defense against rain and snow, any hole can compromise them and make them ineffective.
If you want to put decorations on your roof without damaging it, you should use shingle clips or specially designed plastic fasteners that grip the edges of the shingles without puncturing the material. This saves your roof from unnecessary damage.
Forgetting About Gutters and Downspouts
Because the leaves have mostly fallen by late November, many people forget that their gutters and downspouts can still cause roofing problems throughout the winter. If your gutters are stuffed with old leaves or debris, they cannot properly drain water away from your roof and foundation.
When the temperature drops below freezing, that backed-up water in your gutters turns into ice, creating heavy dams that put tremendous strain on your fascia boards and the edges of your roof. This kind of ice buildup can even cause water to back up under the shingles and eventually leak inside the house. You should make sure your gutters are completely clear before the serious cold weather starts so that you can prevent a mess of headaches and expensive repairs later.
Failing to Schedule Inspections
Before the fun really gets under way, you should schedule a professional inspection with a roofer. They can check to see that all your shingles are in perfect shape and that no other roofing components have been compromised. Many of them will have some fun with you and give you decorating advice. If the roofer finds any issues, they will work with you to get them fixed.
Do not let all your fun get ruined. Call Don Kennedy Roofing for roof repair and professional inspections straight away to keep your Nashville, TN home safe.