Roofer: Getting Ready For Winter

When the time of year comes that all the stores are starting to put out their Christmas products (and it seems to be happening earlier and earlier), its time to put on your amateur roofer hat and get that part of your house ready for not only Santa’s sleigh, but of course the winter season. Many homeowners overlook this aspect of home maintenance, but it is to their detriment. By keeping up with the maintenance when the weather is still warm, you can avoid having to get up there when the cold is chilling your brow. Not to mention avoiding potentially costly repairs. Here are the things you should be doing.

It doesn’t take a professional roofer to clean out your gutters, but it does take the willingness to do it yourself. And do it you should, as clogs can lead to severe damage if left unchecked. Take a Saturday afternoon and your favorite cold beverage and head up to tackle this menial chore. If you leave the clogs there too long, they could cause water from the rain or snow to go up under your eaves. In turn, this could lead to the kind of damage that empties out your wallet. Better to take care of problems before they arise by staying on top of the leaves and other debris that tend to get caught up in the gutters.

If you’ve not done so already, now would be a good time to buy some waterproofing products and apply them. This will not only prevent leaks, but it can protect the surface of the roof as well, allowing it to last as long as possible. Most materials these days are designed to last many years, but they will only do so if you give them the tools and maintenance they need to survive. Take a trip to your local hardware store to see what they offer. If you’re not comfortable or willing to do this yourself, check with a local roofer and see what they charge for waterproofing.

Of course, there comes a time in every home’s lifespan when maintenance just isn’t going to do it anymore. When it is time for a full replacement, find a good roofer in your area and discuss re-shingling. With a little searching, you should be able to find someone who is honest, hardworking, and will offer you a fair price. If you don’t have any leads, try asking your neighbors who they’ve used in the past and whether or not they come recommended.