Winter weather can play havoc with your roof during certain times of the year. I had to take winter roof protection very seriously when living in a cold climate. It was part of protecting my investment in my roof. I had to research the best ways to protect my roof from winter weather. This has helped me save on roof repairs for my home over the years. In this article, I plan to discuss what I learned and some solutions that helped me protect my roof. So, what should you do to protect your roof from winter weather?
Here are five ways how to protect your roof from winter weather:
- Make Sure You Have a Well-Insulated Roof and Attic
- Install Heat Cables (If You Have an Older Home)
- Shovel the Snow Off of Your Roof
- Install Ice and Water Shields to Protect Your Roof
- Get a Roof Inspection Before the Winter
In this article, I will discuss further all the things you can do to protect your roof from winter weather. I will help you prevent costly roof repairs. I will also discuss the best types of roofs for winter weather, costs and paying for roof repair, and what is included in a roof inspection that could possibly save your roof in the cold winter months. This article has all the information you will need to be at ease that your roof will be protected during the cold!
Cold Weather Roofing Solutions
Deciding which solutions will work best for your home’s roof during the winter months is a decision that could save you thousands on roof repair over time.
1. Proper Insulation
First, you should make sure that your roof and attic are well-insulated. Newer homes (less than 20 years old) in cold weather states typically have adequate insulation. However, the reason why insulation is important might not be what you think. Insulation is vital for keeping the heat in your home in the attic, so your roof does not get warm. The roof needs to stay cold so that the ice will not melt on the roof. Melting ice on the roof can lead to ice dams. The attic should stay as cold as possible.
2. Install Heat Cables to Maintain Your Roof In the Winter
Next, if you have an older home, it may be necessary to install heat cables to maintain your roof in the winter. Heat cables may be necessary if your home’s structure does not enable you to have the proper insulation. Having adequate insulation will help prevent ice dams.
3. Shoveling Snow Off of Your Roof
Another easy way to protect your roof from winter weather is by shoveling the snow off of your roof. When the snow melts and refreezes, it can turn into ice. This ice can create ice dams on your roof. Ice dams block the melted water from snow from running off of your roof. This can lead to costly roof repairs to fix leaks created by the excess water on your roof that has leaked through to the ceilings and walls of your home’s interior. It is best to allow roofing professionals to shovel snow off your roof if it gets more than one foot deep.
4. Install an Ice and Water Shield
You should install an ice and water shield. Improperly drained water on a roof can lead to the need for roof repair. An ice and water shield is a layer built under the roofing material when your roof is initially installed. Most homes in the north have these built within. However, homes in the south do not typically have the ice shield. When you repair or replace your roof, you can request it is installed if you are in a warm weather region.
5. Get a Roof Inspection
Finally, having a roof inspection before colder months can be essential for protecting your roof during winter weather. A roofing inspection can help you answer any questions regarding your roof and the effects of winter. This inspection can also allow a professional to access insulation, ventilation, and the likelihood of ice dams forming on your roof. This information can be invaluable for maintaining your roof in cold weather.
Best Roofs for Cold Weather
Being educated on the best type of roof is essential if you live in a cold climate. Some materials are better than others in preventing roof repair in the colder months.
Metal roofs are great in cold climates. A metal roof allows the snow and ice to easily slide off the roof. This is extremely helpful in preventing ice dams and wind damage. Another added benefit of these roofs is that they can last up to sixty years! The cost of a metal roof can range from $5300 to $15,000.
Another great roofing material that is extremely durable in cold weather is slate. Slate roofs have excellent insulation and are strong enough to withstand some of the most extreme weather conditions, like blizzards. Slate roofs are more expensive at $10 to $30 per square foot. These roofs are expensive to repair but will last from 50 to 100 years. Synthetic slate is more budget-friendly and durable than traditional slate. Synthetic slate is only $7 to $12 per square foot.
Another option is clay tiles, as they are excellent when it comes to insulation. However, they are very fragile. They do very well against snow and ice. However, you might have issues if you have extreme wind or hail. Clay is inexpensive. You could install a complete clay roof for only $13,000.
Lastly, asphalt should be mentioned since it is one of the most common roofing materials. Asphalt shingles look great on your home and are budget-friendly. However, asphalt shingles are great against high winds, but they are not waterproof and have been known to form ice dams. Installing an ice and water shield can help with this. These roofs can cost $5000- $8000 for a 2000-square-foot house.
Roof Repairs
Protecting your roof from winter weather is crucial if you do not want to have costly roof repairs and while this blog post will help you greatly in preventing winter damage to your roof, there are times when we will have to get our roofs repaired.
When it comes to roof repair, calling a professional roofing company is the best way to ensure your repairs are done correctly and safely. While you may be able to do some of the small fixes on your own, there are many Professional roofers who have the experience and expertise necessary to properly assess the damage and provide efficient solutions that will stand up against time and weather conditions. They can also use specialized tools and materials in order to make sure that your repairs are done properly and with the highest quality materials.
Professional roofers can also help you to maintain your roof, especially if you live in an area that experiences extreme weather conditions. Regularly inspecting your roof for damage will help ensure that minor issues are caught quickly before they become larger problems that could cause significant damage to your home. Professional roofers will also be able to recommend the best materials and methods for protecting your roof from future damage.
Paying For Roof Repairs
Generally, people can afford roof repairs with traditional means- savings, credit cards, personal or home equity loans. You might instantly think of these when attempting to pay for roof repairs. Another way to pay for a roof repair would be through your homeowner’s insurance. However, this can be complicated if the cause of the roof damage is not obvious. Insurance companies no longer cover normal wear and tear on an aged roof. But this might be something to look into, which can save you thousands. Another way would be to finance the roof repairs through the roofing company completing the repair. For some, this might be a viable option for getting your roof fixed. These plans ensure that you have a reputable roofing company servicing you and can possibly offer you low manageable monthly payments to get your roof repair work completed.
Conclusion
There are many strategies for how to take care of your roof during the winter to avoid roof repairs. So, hopefully, you can take advantage of the solutions we suggested to ensure that your roof has the protection it needs to last through the winter. Thanks for Reading!
Related Questions
What is included in a roof inspection for cold weather?
A roofing company will inspect your shingles. They will see if they are missing, damaged, or improperly installed. Also, they will look at your roof flashing (metal sheeting on the roof to prevent leaks), roof valleys, gutters, and sealant. They will also examine other areas where there might be signs of damage. This will help you know the needed repairs before cold weather, which could exacerbate the repair issues.
How do you prepare your gutters for cold weather?
Cleaning and preparing your gutters for cold weather can save you costly repairs and heartache. Some of the things you should do include clearing debris, inspecting for leaks, checking downspouts, work to prevent ice dams and attic heat loss. Lastly, you also could install heat cables.
