Winter Roof Maintenance: How to Get Your Roof Ready for Winter

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Taking care of preventive, seasonal roofing maintenance can reduce your risk of winter storm damage to your roof. You will be less likely to develop roof leaks, mold or mildew, pest infestations, snow and ice damage, and other issues. You will also be less likely to need costly emergency roof repairs or a full roof replacement. Here is your guide to essential winter roof maintenance in Baltimore County, MD that you should do to make sure your roof is ready to stand up to winter weather.

Schedule a Roofing Inspection

If your roof is over 10 years old and you can’t remember the last time you had a professional roofing inspection, you should schedule one before severe winter weather arrives. A roofing contractor will assess each area of your roof and evaluate the age, condition, and structural integrity of each roofing component.

Assess Your Roof

If your roof is under 10 years old or you had a professional roofing inspection in the past five years, you can assess your roof’s condition yourself. Walk around the outside perimeter of your home and visually inspect your siding, soffit, fascia, eaves, gutters, downspouts, and attic or upper story windows and vents. Then, get on a ladder and inspect your shingles, chimney, flashing, gables, drip edges, underlayment or roof deck, and vent pipes.

Look for Signs of Roofing Damage

During your assessment of your roof, look for signs of roofing damage. Even minor issues can get bigger throughout the winter as your roof is exposed to extreme temperatures, wind, rain, ice, and snow. Some of the most common signs of roof problems are:

  • Missing or damaged shingles
  • Black streaks on your roof or siding
  • Mold or mildew growth
  • Standing water on your roof or pools of water around your foundation
  • A sagging or dipping roof or ceiling
  • Water stains or signs of water damage inside your home on walls, ceilings, or floors
  • Signs of leaks or holes or cracks in your roof
  • Damaged or bursting gutters or downspouts
  • Clogged drains
  • Rusted or corroded downspouts or gutters
  • Damaged or missing pieces of fascia
  • Damaged, warped, or cracked soffits
  • Bare patches on your shingles or granules in your downspouts, drains, or gutters

Schedule Professional Roofing Repairs

If you do see signs of damage to your roof, gutters, downspouts, exterior siding, soffit, fascia, or drains, do not attempt to fix them yourself. Roofing repairs must be done by an experienced, licensed roofing contractor or you risk causing problems with your homeowner’s insurance policy or violating your roofing warranty. As soon as you notice any problems, call an experienced roofing contractor for your winter roof maintenance.

Trim Overhanging Trees

Trees that overhang your roof can drop debris onto your roof and create easy passage for animals that could cause roofing damage or invade your home. In heavy snow or high winds, branches can break and damage your roof. Trim any overhanging trees and look for signs of damage.

Look for Signs of Insect or Animal Intrusion

While you’re assessing your roof and clearing away debris, look for signs of insect or animal intrusion. Insects can damage your roofing structures and gain entry to your home to cause more damage. Animals like raccoons, rodents, bats, birds, squirrels, and chipmunks can nest in your home, spread disease, damage structures, and cause noise and foul odors. If necessary, schedule pest control and animal removal services and seal up any cracks or gaps where animals could enter seeking warmth and shelter.

Clear Away Debris

If you have a flat roof, it might accumulate debris throughout the year due to storms, wind, and animal activity. Clear off dirt, rocks, leaves, twigs, and other debris. This debris could attract insects and animals, cause roof rot or mold, clog up your gutters and downspouts, and contribute to roof wear and tear. You should also clean out your gutters and downspouts and make sure all drains are clear of debris. If you see signs of mold or mildew or have a major buildup of mud, sediment, or dirt, you might consider hiring a professional for soft roof washing services.

Call a Professional Roofing Contractor

If you’re ready to schedule a professional roofing inspection, roofing repairs, or roofing maintenance, our team at Badger Contracting is standing by, ready to help. We offer comprehensive residential and commercial roofing services in Annapolis, Baltimore, Columbia, Owings Mills, Bel Air, Towson, Westminster, and Glen Burnie, MD. Our experienced roofing contractors can complete a thorough roofing assessment or inspection. We’ll help you handle roofing insurance claims and maintain compliance with your homeowner’s insurance and roofing warranty. We also offer window and siding replacement and installation services to better prepare your home for winter weather. Call us today or fill out our online contact form to ask questions or request an estimate for roofing maintenance or repairs.

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All we want to do is provide you with a quality service that you can trust. That means that, while we might not be the least expensive in the business, you can trust that we will provide quality installation services with trusted brands and products.

To our contractors, customer experience is king, and we believe that extends to how durable the product is and how long it lasts after installation as well. All our products come with product warranties, and every job has a labor warranty to match. You can rest assured knowing that your investment is backed with confidence, no matter where you are in the Maryland or Columbia region.

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