Preparing your Roof for Winter
We may be in the middle of autumn at the moment, enjoying the amazing colours and trying not to think about Christmas, but now is the perfect time to prepare your roof for the colder weather.
The Best Time to Prepare your Roof for Winter
If you wait much longer to start making preparations, you’ll only make the task at hand more difficult. And of course, preparing your roof for winter in winter is completely counterproductive.
The weather is temperamental this time of year, making it tricky to pick the right time. Even if you have some experience working with roofs, the slippery tiles and frequent showers make it tough to get the job done.
We always recommend bringing in the professionals to help you prepare your roof, even for the smaller tasks some people try to handle themselves. Trying to maintain it yourself, such as replacing tiles or guttering, can cause more harm than good if you don’t have the right training. If something does go wrong, you’ll be out of pocket with little to show for it and may have put yourself in danger.
What to look for when Inspecting your Roof
The first and most important thing to do is inspect your roof. The sooner you spot any damage or weaknesses, the sooner they can be sorted.
Most people assume that you can’t inspect your roof from ground level, but it is possible. If you’re wary about setting up a ladder or don’t have one, you can have a good look at your roof with a pair of binoculars. You won’t see everything in crystal-clear detail, and if you don’t know what to look for, you’ll probably miss damage, but it can give you a good idea of the state your roof is in.
When your roof is heavily caked with grime or leaves, the damage will be much harder to spot. You can have a closer look using a ladder but be careful doing this if your gutters are worse for wear.
Here are some things to look out for:
- Missing/Broken Tiles
- Sagging
- Damaged Flashing (The metal seal around the edges of your roof)
- Clogged Guttering
There can be a few signs of a damaged roof inside your home too. If you’ve had any leaks or found damp patches around your walls and ceilings, a leaking roof is the most likely cause.
Your roof may look fine at a glance, but damage can be well-hidden. Any weaknesses in your tiles or guttering may not be an immediate issue; and will cause you headaches later on. The last thing you want is a leaky roof in the middle of winter.
When to get your Roof Fixed
The sooner you get your roof repaired, the sooner it’ll be ready for winter. Roofing specialists like us are no strangers to working in the rain, but with the Christmas holidays and high demand in the new year, booking your repairs early means we’re more able to help you.
Often these repairs are relatively simple. Replacing a couple of tiles and fitting new flashing doesn’t take long. However, if there are bigger issues or many small ones, it can take up to a few weeks.
Repairs are just the start too. They will address immediate issues, but if you’re trying to keep heat in over winter, a professional roof treatment is needed.
Is a Thermal Roof Coating Right for Your Roof?
Our thermal roof coating doesn’t just improve protection. In winter our energy bills become sky-high, so any money-saving solution goes a long way. The thermal coating we provide is an affordable alternative to having a brand-new roof fitted and will help you reduce your heating bills.
The universal treatment can be used on almost any roof. This includes:
- Tiles
- Slate
- Concrete
- Stone
- Clay
- Rosemary
- And more!
This goes hand in hand with our repair service. We always fix any issues we find before applying the coating, ensuring that your roof works as well as it should. We’ll even give it a thorough clean so that it looks great too. Speaking of which…
The Importance of Keeping Your Roof Clean
Cleaning your roof can do a lot to improve the protection it provides. A large amount of mud on your roof after years of rain will affect how well your tiles funnel water towards your gutters. Flat roofs especially need to be cleaned so that rainwater isn’t left standing – which can lead to mould, mildew, and leaks.
Normally a professional clean every few years is plenty, but if it has been a while or you notice a lot of buildup, it’s worth getting it sorted sooner.
Clearing and Fixing Guttering
Autumn is the most important time to clear out your gutters. As so many leaves fall from the trees, they build up quickly alongside sticks and twigs, blocking your gutter or causing it to collapse under the weight.
With a lot of rain, mud builds up too. Solid mud is not only impossible for water to penetrate but also very heavy.
Leaves are fairly straightforward to remove, making it a job you can do yourself with a ladder, a rake, and some free time. As long as you’re careful, and you have a reliable ladder, it’s possible to maintain your gutters yourself.
However, if mud and solid objects are starting to cause a blockage, this is a lot more difficult to remove, and you need to call in some professional help. Leaning a ladder against a damaged gutter is dangerous too; never do this unless you’re sure it’s still stable.
Why Choose Us to Preserve Your Roof?
When your roof is clean, in perfect condition, and treated to help keep heat in, it will be ready for whatever winter brings. Now is the best time to preserve your roof, and we’re the best people to call if you want it done properly.
With over 3 decades of experience, there’s no roof we can’t handle. Our cleaning and inspection service helps your roof to look its best and uncovers any hidden damage that needs to be addressed.
If there is any damage, we won’t just point at it and leave you to it. We’ll be back again as soon as possible to get it fixed.
Winter will be here before you know it. Make sure your roof won’t let you down!