4 Things You Should Do to Prepare Your Roof for Harsh Winter Weather
Montana can have some pretty harsh winter weather, and part of preparing your home for the season means getting your roof ready. Here are four things you should do this fall to ensure that your Billings, MT roofing can handle the snow and cold to come and you don’t have any winter roofing disasters.
1. Hire a Qualified Roofing Contractor to Inspect the Roof
The best way to find any potential problems before snow covers your roof is with a thorough roof inspection. You might be able to do a cursory inspection by looking at the roof from either the ground or from a ladder, but a qualified Billings, MT roofing professional can safely get on the roof and spot subtle damage that you might have missed.
2. Schedule Repairs Right Away for Any Problems
If you or your roofing contractor see any problems with your shingles—curling, buckling, loose, or missing shingles—make sure to schedule repairs right away. Sometimes the Billings, MT roofing contractor will be able to do them while they are there (depending on how easy or hard the repairs will be) and other times you might need to schedule the contractor to come back later.
3. Clean Out Your Gutters and Downspouts
When gutters are clogged it can lead to dangerous ice dams—the buildup of ice along the edge of the roof that causes damage to your shingles and can lead to leaks. Be sure all the leaves, branches, dirt, and granules from your roofing shingles are out of the gutters before the first snow.
4. Trim Trees and Other Debris Away from the House
To keep gutters clean long-term and avoid damage from falling branches, trim trees so there are no branches that overhang the house. You may also want to consider installing a gutter guard system to protect from leaves and debris if you have several mature trees around your home or you spend a lot of time cleaning gutters each year.
The winter weather can be hard on your Billings, MT roofing, but by taking some steps before the snow comes you can drastically reduce the chances of having problems once your roof is covered and temperatures outside are freezing.
