Winter Preparation Checklist
Winter is coming, bringing challenging conditions, so now is the time to tick off your winter preparation checklist. Putting a bit of effort in early will ensure that your roof makes it through the cold season in good shape.
Torrential rain, wind, and steep drops in temperature can all damage roof materials. The resulting loose tiles, blocked gutters, and cracked seals can all lead to problems that can be expensive to sort out if left untreated.
If you follow our checklist to prepare for winter, your roof should be ready to withstand the worst of the weather.
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Inspect your roof for damage
You may be able to check your roof yourself from a vantage point at the bottom of your garden or the other side of the road. However, if you have a complicated roofline or a tall house, you may find that some parts are impossible to examine from the ground.
Improve a Roof’s roof inspection service is the answer as we have equipment that will allow us to access all areas of your roof. Resist the urge to get up there yourself: it can be risky if you aren’t used to working at a height.
Our experienced and professional team will look for any existing signs of wear and tear, loose or cracked slates, damaged flashings or cracks in seals, giving you a chance to sort them out before winter weather makes them worse.
Clean out gutters and downpipes
If you have trees around your property, some falling leaves will inevitably find their way into your gutters.
It is essential to remove leaves and other organic debris from your gutters before they make their way into your downpipes, blocking them. Rainwater can collect and cause leaks in your roof space. Overflowing gutters can send water spilling onto paths below, causing slippery and dangerous ground-level conditions.
Cut back overhanging branches
Trimming back nearby trees will help to protect your roof from the damage caused by fallen leaves.
Removing heavy branches will also prevent them from falling on your roof if they break during high winds. Don’t forget that the law requires you to return any cut branches to your neighbour if the tree isn’t on your land.
Check flashing and seals
It is difficult to see all your lead flashing from ground level, and certainly, most seals are hidden high up on your roof line. We can check the condition of lead flashing around your chimneys and the seals around vents and skylights for signs of damage or deterioration.
Check your attic insulation and ventilation
A quarter of a home’s heat can be lost through an uninsulated attic, so installing adequate roof insulation will keep your home cosy in the winter and help to keep those fuel bills under control.
You can find guidance about insulating your roof here.
Make sure that rodents and pests can’t get into your roof space
Your pre-winter check is also an excellent time to check for holes under the eaves of your roof. Any small space may provide entrance to pests like squirrels and rats looking for shelter from cold weather. Gaps in the fascia or loose slates should be repaired to prevent access to unwanted house guests.
Check for water leaks inside your property
Have a quick look at the internal ceilings and walls on the top storey of your property. Damp stains or dark patches could indicate that you have a leaky roof.
If you attend to this situation immediately, you will prevent matters from getting worse. If the internal damage is minor, you may get away with a decorating touch-up using a stain blocker or oil-based paint. If you leave it too long, winter rain will make the staining worse and may affect the plaster, leaving you with a significant redecoration job to do.
Inspect Roof Windows
Roof windows are a great way to ventilate your home and bring in natural light, but they can be tricky to maintain. We can check that their seals are watertight during our roof survey so that you can repair any damage before the window leaks.
By following this checklist, you can help ensure that your roof is in good condition and ready to withstand the challenges of winter weather.
Contact Improve a Roof for help in preparing your roof for winter.
Without the right equipment and experience, it can be dangerous for homeowners to get up on their roofs to check their condition. It is always best to leave hazardous jobs to the professionals.
We provide roof cleaning and inspection services in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Manchester, Merseyside, North Wales, Derbyshire, Shropshire, and Staffordshire.
Call us NOW on 0800 046 9686 for a free, no-obligation quotation.