With fluctuating temperatures, heavy snow loads, and frequent sleet and rain, winter can wreak havoc on roofs in Carmel, IN. This is especially true when roofs have unchecked problems, dirty gutters, and insufficient insulation. At Red Bird Roofing, we help locals prime their roofing for the cold season. Check out our essential tips to get your roof ready for what lies ahead.
Schedule a Roof Inspection
A great way to prepare your roof for winter storms, cold weather, and heavy snow and ice loads is by scheduling a fall roof inspection. Every homeowner in Carmel should schedule this service at least once each year. In fall, these visits allow roofers to spot minor problems like:
- Loose or missing shingles
- Torn or lifted flashing
- Nail pops
- Insufficient ventilation
- Insufficient insulation
Roofers can assess the age and integrity of your roof and determine whether you need roof repairs or a replacement.
With a pre-winter roof inspection, you’ll get a detailed inspection report. This way, if you have to submit an insurance claim for storm damage repairs, you’ll have a reliable record of your roof’s pre-loss condition.
Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts direct runoff away from roofs and building foundations. When ice and snow melt and enter dirty gutters, they can refreeze and weigh them down. Freezing creates serious problems with ice damming at roof edges that can lead to soft, sagging sections, gutter detachment, and other structural damage.
Remove all damp leaves, twigs, and other organic matter. Clear away built-up debris at the base of downspouts. If you hire a professional for gutter cleaning, they can also look for leaky seams and ensure that your gutters are secure.
Schedule Gutter Replacement or Repair Services
If your gutters and downspouts are in poor condition when winter arrives, your roof will suffer for it. You may need gutter replacement or repairs if you have:
- Sagging or detached gutters
- Active gutter leaks
- Visibly corroded gutters or downspouts
- Gutters that are 20 years old or older
- Pooling water around your home’s perimeter
Consider Gutter Covers and Gutter Heaters
When cleaning your gutters, consider the benefits of installing gutter covers or gutter heaters. Gutter covers block or screen out loose, windblown debris to keep gutter interiors clean and swift-moving. Gutter heaters prevent trapped water from freezing and significantly reduce the risk of ice damming and gutter detachment.
Gutter covers are an excellent pre-winter investment for any home with frequently clogged or overflowing gutters. They’re also perfect for homes with lots of overhanging foliage and for homeowners who struggle to stay on top of basic gutter maintenance.
Gutter heaters can protect your roof from seasonal damage if you’ve had problems with ice damming before. These features also prevent the formation of large and potentially dangerous icicles along gutters and eaves.
Add Insulation
Whether installed beneath your roof deck or on your attic floor, adding insulation to your roof will tighten your home’s envelope. This way, more of your heated air will stay indoors, and less cold outside air will seep in. Increasing your home’s thermal barrier with additional insulation will lower your wintertime heating costs, protect your indoor air quality (IAQ), and limit HVAC stress.
Additional insulation can also stave off ice damming and the many moisture-related problems it causes, such as wood rot and mold. You can optimize the benefits of new insulation by choosing insulating materials with high R-values.
Polyisocyanurate rigid foam, extruded polystyrene, and closed-cell spray foam are all excellent, energy-efficient insulation types for Carmel homes. Depending upon the size, layout, and design of your attic, you may need blown-in insulation or fiberglass batts for total coverage. To ensure maximum efficiency and weather protection, many local roofing companies take a hybrid approach when installing new insulation.
Improve Your Attic’s Ventilation
Insulating your roof will make it easier to maintain a warm, cozy living space. However, you must maintain a good balance between roof insulation and roof ventilation. Proper ventilation will naturally lower the temperature of your attic. This diminishes the temperature difference between the roof’s surface and the topmost portion of your home.
Much like insulation, a well-moderated inflow of cooled air via attic ventilation can also prevent ice damming. Adequate ventilation ensures that heavy snow loads don’t melt at the hottest portion of the day, only to refreeze after the sun sets.
Schedule Roof Repairs
Roofs are multi-layer systems. Together, these layers form seamless, watertight barriers. To protect the layers that lie beneath it, each layer must be completely intact. Taking care of even your most minor roof repairs before winter arrives is the key to ensuring that small issues never spiral out of control.
Whether you have one missing shingle or a series of nail pops, giving these problems timely attention now will save you money in the future. If you scheduled a pre-winter roof inspection, you can use your inspection report to prioritize roof repairs.
In addition to nail pops and missing or damaged shingles, schedule roof repairs if you have:
- Stained, discolored, or warped siding
- Water spots on your ceilings
- Blistered or peeling interior paint
- Missing flashing
- Visible light in your attic
Hidden roof leaks can also cause noticeable increases in indoor humidity.
Trim Overhanging Trees
Prevent impact-related roof damage by taking care of your trees. Limb all weak and dying branches that overhang your roof. Have a tree care specialist thin out dense tree canopies so that heavy winds and severe storms don’t uproot nearby trees and send them crashing onto your roof.
Trimming trees before winter arrives is also a great way to prevent pest damage. Cutting low-hanging branches limits roof access for climbing animals like squirrels and rats.
Seal and Weatherproof Roofing Protrusions
Roofing protrusions are elements that protrude through your roof. They include skylights, chimneys, and exhaust vents. Roofers protect these elements and the roofing materials around them with thin, metal flashings. Leaky protrusions are among the most common causes of wintertime water damage. Have a licensed roofer inspect, seal, and weatherproof your roofing protrusions as needed.
Consider a Protective Roof Coating
If your roof is getting along in age but you aren’t yet ready for roof replacement, you may be able to extend its lifespan with a protective roof coating. Protective layers of synthetic rubber reinforce the watertight barrier provided by residential roofs. These coatings can seamlessly adhere to many common roof materials and shapes, including asphalt shingle roofs, metal roofs, high-sloped roofs, and flat roofs. When paired with added insulation, a quality roof coating can also play an important hand in tightening your home’s envelope. It can lower your energy bills, reduce HVAC stress, and promote comfortable conditions indoors.
Get Your Home Winter Ready
Red Bird Roofing proudly serves Carmel and the surrounding communities with expert roof inspection, maintenance, replacement, and repair services. We also provide roof insulation and gutter services. For help getting the roof on your Carmel home winter-ready, contact Red Bird Roofing today!
