Compared to the rest of the country, winters in Alabama are generally mild, and many homeowners tend to take this for granted. However, the colder months are no exception to the region’s notoriously unpredictable weather. An odd cold snap, a surprise snow day, or a sudden deep freeze followed by a quick thaw may only last a day or so out of the season, but these can cause unexpected damage to your roof. If you want to enjoy the relatively calm winter weather and still be prepared for anything, there are a few easy steps that you can take right now.
Clean Your Gutters
Keeping your gutters and downspouts clear of leaves and debris is a good idea for any season, but it’s especially important with the added risk of ice. A sudden drop in the temperature could result in trapped water freezing, forming ice dams that clog your gutter system, or even damage the gutters themselves. Cleaning your gutters now can prevent blockages and make sure that water drains away as intended.
Trim Your Trees
While there’s always much to-do about trimming the big tree in the main room with ornaments and lights, it’s important to pay attention to the trees outside your home as well. Overgrown branches always carry a risk of breaking and falling onto your roof in a storm, and this risk is made even greater by the added weight from snow or ice. By trimming those branches to keep them from hanging down over your roof, you can rest easy knowing that your home is safe from even the nastiest of surprise winter storms.
Reseal your Flashing and Caulking
Your flashing, the metal strips that protect the joint between your roof and the chimneys and vents, plays an important part in keeping water and debris out of your home. Over time, the caulking that seals the gaps in the flashing can degrade and lead to roof leaks, which can especially be a concern in a ‘mild’ winter where overnight frost or snow flurries melt quickly. Sealing these gaps can go a long way in preventing water damage to your home.
Schedule a Professional Inspection
Whether the weather this winter is mild or wild, one of the most important things you can do to make sure your roof is ready for anything is to get it inspected by professionals. A qualified roofer can catch signs of damage, water leaks, degradation, or escaping heat, catching small problems before they become big ones.
Fortunately, this important step is also one of the easiest. HomeSafe’s team can conduct a thorough inspection of your home’s roofing system, as well as give you a consultation and detailed estimate on repairs and upkeep, free of charge. From there, our experienced roofers can take care of anything your roof needs, from preventative maintenance to a complete roof replacement.
Be Ready for Any Kind of Winter
While Alabama’s winter weather can be unpredictable, your level of comfort through the winter months doesn’t have to be. By scheduling a free roof inspection from HomeSafe, you can make sure your roof is ready for cold weather, snow, ice, wind, rain, or anything else that might come between now and spring. The weather outside may or may not be frightful, but keeping your energy bills down, preventing costly and possibly dangerous roof damage, and keeping your home and family safe and cozy will always be delightful.
If you’d like to make sure your home is ready for winter, contact HomeSafe for a free inspection today.