People in Winter aren’t exactly like people in the Midwest. We don’t get decades’ worth of snow, so most people just assume their roof can handle whatever comes. That’s exactly what catches them in the crossfire. A Texas winter is never one thing. It’s 65 one week, and the next tyoue’s ice on the roads. That kind of temperature swing is actually tougher on roofing than a stable cold snap. The expansion and contraction slowly weaken seams, lift shingles, and create routes for water to seep in. What’s actually required before and in the winter to keep your roof in good condition?
Start with a pre-season inspection
The one thing homeowners can do that’s perhaps the most effective and practical is to have the roof inspected before the temperatures dip. Not when the first cold snap hits, but before. Because once the damage is in motion, you’re reacting. You want to be a step ahead.
A good roof check will look at things like the shingles, the metal around the chimney and vents the condition of the gutters, and any soft spots in the roof decking that show water is getting through the roof. Whether you’re exploring Roof Installation in Bartlett, TX or simply need a seasonal check, a roofing company in Bartlett, TX, will usually include a check before the season starts as part of their service. You should take advantage of this.
Your roof may look okay from the street. What is happening along the top of the roof or around the chimney is different. Damage can be hidden in the details, and someone who knows what to look for will see things that you will not see with a quick look.
Clear the Gutters All the Way
People often forget about this. You need to clean out your gutters. We do not get ice in Central Texas.. When we start getting freezing rain, and it gets cold at night, the water in your gutters and downspouts can cause trouble. The water can seep under your shingles and, onto your roof deck. So clean them out. Your house will be safe.
If your gutters and downspouts are clogged, big icicles can form. This can make your roof rot. It is a good idea to pay someone to clean your gutters, especially if they haven’t been cleaned in a long time. You do not have to clean your gutters yourself. You can ask your handyman to do it when he is fixing your dryer vents. This way, you can be sure your gutters are clean and your house is safe. Clean your gutters. You will not have to worry about your roof.
Make your appointment for late October or early November
When most of your leaves have fallen, but before freezing rain becomes more likely. Check that all gutters and downspouts are working to channel water away from your home’s foundation, and replace weather-tight stripping and caulking lastly. All window tracks should be lubricated so they open and close easily.
You had your roof replaced two years ago by a team of roof installers in Belton, TX. Homeowners seeking Roof Installation in Belton, TX often discover this firsthand and what surprised you most was how much they talked about attic insulation with the new shingles. A new roof on a typical sloppy attic is like a new jacket that’s left unzipped. The outer shell is important, but what comes beneath matters too. A quick attic inspection before winter, checking the depth of the insulation, ensuring that the soffit vents are not blocked, and that the exhaust fans from bathrooms are not venting humidity into the attic space, can save you a lot of trouble.
Fix Those Little Things Before They Turn Into Big Issues
A sole rocky shingle starting to lift at the corner, and a tiny oxidized nudge of rust on some flashing. None of those seems like critical item. But the winter weather is going to take the heat off every single weak spot on your roof. What may be a trivial problem in October will be a leaking roof by February.
You’ll find homeowners seeking Roofing Services for Cameron, TX Homes specifically in the fall, and you’ll find homeowners in Cameron, TX, who need roofing services specifically in the fall. That’s why they want a pro to identify what’s weak and needs to be sealed in advance of the cold. A good move. Pre-winter repair costs are almost always a fraction of the water damage repair that comes with ignoring the problem.
What To Do After A Winter Storm
Even a good roof is impacted by severe weather. After any large ice storm or high wind event, he should walk around from the ground, not from the roof, to see if he can find any obvious damage. Missing shingles, sagging gutters, anything that has fallen onto the roof, or accumulation of granules on the driveway beneath the downspouts are all things to be aware of.
Do not wait weeks to have your roof checked. Storm damage can appear to be minor at first. The water that gets in can already be causing problems with the decking and insulation underneath. If you get your roof checked quickly you can fix the problems sooner. That means you will have to pay less money and there will be less damage.
If you are worried about whether your roof is still strong after a storm or want to know how much damage it sustained, it is better to have someone from a roofing company in Copperas Cove, TX, or nearby come and inspect it. Homeowners who have invested in Roof Installation in Copperas Cove, TX know the value of fast post-storm assessments. Your safety is more important than the money you would pay to have someone check your roof.
Do not ignore the signs that your roof is already having problems.
Before winter even starts some roofs are already having trouble in ways that you may not realize. You might see stains on the ceilings or walls inside your house or doors and windows that’re hard to open because the house is shifting. You might also notice that it is costing money to heat your house. This is not a coincidence. It is a sign that something’s wrong with your roof.
You might have noticed a stain on the ceiling in your office. You did not do anything about it for two winters because the stain was not getting bigger. Then the third winter came. The stain started growing fast. What started as a leak in the roof flashing had turned into a problem: a rotten deck that needed to be completely replaced. If you put off fixing something that’s wrong, with your roof it will only get worse and worse over time. The longer you wait to fix your roof the more it will cost you in the end. Your roof will just keep getting worse if you do not fix it. Fixing your roof is very important.
Now Prepare. Don’t Wait for the Cold to Remind You.
Roofing in the winter is not hard, but you need to be intentional about it. Clear gutters. Check insulation. Repair the little things. Have a professional check out the job before the temperatures go down. These aren’t expensive or time-intensive, but they’re the exact ways easy maintenance is emergency repair.If you’re in Central Texas and want a crew that you can actually trust with your home, call Apex Fencing and Roofing. They work with homeowners throughout the region, including Bartlett, Belton, Cameron, and Copperas Cove, and bring an honest, detail-oriented approach that’s hard to come by. From Roof Installation in Bartlett, TX and Roof Installation in Belton, TX to Roofing Services for Cameron, TX Homes and Roof Installation in Copperas Cove, TX, whether you need a pre-winter inspection, complete roof installation, or help your contractor assess damage from last night’s storm, they’re built for exactly this kind of work.
