How to Keep Your Roof in Top Shape During the Winter

Address common trouble spots in your roofing system as we round the bend into winter, and you’ll prevent problems and lengthen its lifespan. Take advantage of the protection your roof was engineered to provide by maintaining its components well, particularly during Kansas City’s coldest months. 

Inspecting your biggest investment’s protective covering each winter and after major storms can help you spot a problem early on, saving you time and money in the long run because the sooner you address an issue, usually the smaller it is. 

Let’s dive into the primary areas you need to inspect as winter begins. 

Winter Inspection List to Help You Prevent Roofing Problems

1. Check your attic

Grab your flashlight and head to your attic to ensure you don’t have any roof leaks. Look for any stains on your attic ceiling. Check for mold and mildew issues. Check to see if there are any cracks in your roof decking. If your attic is having problems, it may not be due to a roof leak. If moisture, rot, mold, or mildew is an issue, you may need more ventilation in your attic. 

Simple solution: If there are moisture infiltration issues in your attic, have it professionally inspected. 

2. Look for interior stains indicating roof leaks

Check your top floor’s ceilings to look for stains that point to roof leaks. 

Simple solution: If you suspect your roof is leaking, contact a reputable roofer promptly to have it professionally inspected. Ask for an estimate on repairs and find out how much life you have left in your roof. 

3. Keep your gutters clean

As fall is behind us and the trees have dropped their leaves, it’s time to ensure your gutter system is free and clear of debris. If leaves, twigs, or even a stray baseball ends up in your gutters, it hinders them from doing their job of channeling water away from your home. Once winter hits, if gutters are clogged, water freezes in them rather than flowing through them. They weren’t designed to hold the weight of frozen water, and the extra stress can cause them to become damaged or dislodge themselves from your home. They won’t work properly if they are clogged, and they may even decrease your home’s curb appeal if they break or loosen themselves from your house. 

Simple solution: To prevent problems, install gutter guards on your home to keep gutters clean year-round, or hire someone to clean them for you each fall and spring. 

4. Inspect for roof damage

Before snow arrives, grab a pair of binoculars and walk across the street to get a good look at your roof from the safety of the ground. Look for signs of damage like missing shingles, cracked or buckling shingles, unsightly algae growth, and rotted or warped shingles. 

Simple solution: If you have roof damage, contact a reputable roofing contractor to repair it promptly to avoid further damage. 

5. Notice where snow and ice accumulates

Once winter is in full swing and snow shows up on your Kansas home’s rooftop, take a look at where it is accumulating. Too much snow stresses your home’s structure, so take note of where it collects as you inspect your roof. If ice dams form at your roof’s eaves, they keep snow from draining properly as it melts. The extra water that gathers behind the ice dam can cause leaks inside. Ice dams can also cause dangerous icicles to hang from your roof, creating risk for those walking beneath them. 

Simple solution: If you notice ice dams on your roof when it snows, contact a roofing contractor and explore the possibilities of adding insulation and sealing off air leaks that may be warming the underside of your roof. 

Enhance the Health of Your Roof with Safe Harbor

The better you maintain your roofing components, the longer your roof will last, and the better it will shield your most significant investment from the elements. If you inspect your roof and find issues, you don’t have to tackle them alone. We’re here to help!

At Safe Harbor, we are honored to be a GAF Master Elite Certified roofer. Only 1% of the roofing industry in the nation holds this certification, so you can rest assured that your roof will be well cared for. Take a moment to learn how our roofing services can maximize your home’s protection and extend your roof’s lifespan.