High winds, heavy frosts, and snow are all common in New Zealand throughout the winter months and can play havoc on your roof if it is not well looked after.
Taking the time to carry out a few small roof maintenance tasks now can save you having to address much bigger problems in the future and extend the life of your roofing system. Here are our top 8 ways to get your roof ready for the cold winter months ahead.
1. Carry Out A Quick Roof Inspection
Roof inspections should be done on a regular basis regardless of the roofing materials used or the time of year, but getting up on the roof before winter is especially important. Identifying any small issues before they become big issues is the key to getting the most out of your roof and its expected lifespan.
Look out for any cracks, bubbles, worn materials, rust and lifted nails or tiles. Inspect any darkened areas or places that appear to have been covered in debris for some time. Pay particular attention to compromised sealant and waterproofing membranes around vents, skylights and chimneys.
2. Give The Gutters A Good Clean Out
The gutter system on your roof is specifically designed to carry away excess water to protect the home from moisture damage. If your gutters are blocked up with leaves and debris this can cause serious drainage problems.
If water backs up or cannot drain correctly during heavy rainfall or in times of snowfall water that does not get cleared out can get into places it’s not meant to causing internal damage or it can freeze causing further damage your roof.
3. Trim Overhanging Trees
Ensuring there aren’t any large overhanging or nearby trees with dead limbs or branches that may brush against the roof in strong winds or come into contact with the roof when weighed down by snow is a great way to protect your roof from unnecessary damage.
Removing these weak or overhanging branches will also help with reducing the build-up of leaves and debris that can block gutters and build up on the roof valleys.
4. Clean Out All Roof Valleys
Roof valleys are the low falling intersections on your roof where two or more sloped sections meet. They are usually covered with slightly V-shaped strips of metal and form an integral part of the waterproofing of your roofing system.
Take extra care to ensure these areas of your roof are clear from debris and as you do so inspect for any obvious signs of damage such as rust, weak spots, holes or indents. Keeping your roof valleys in good shape is vital to the long lifespan of your roof as these are one of the main ‘weak spots’ where damage can occur.
5. Inspect The Flashing And Sealant
Flashing and sealant are usually both present in places where joins need to be made, providing a tight waterproof seal between two adjoining materials. They are one of the weakest points of a roof and the most likely to be the cause of invisible or slow leaks that can cause unseen damage.
Pay specific attention to anywhere there are any roof penetrations or extrusions such as joints, drains, ventilation pipes, aerials, chimneys, skylights etc. You should replace or repair any worn or missing flashing and sealant immediately – if unsure always contact a roofing repair professional.
6. Check Out The Chimney
Chimneys are an obvious point of concern in any wintertime roof inspection process. Over the summer time when the fire is left unlit chimneys may present safety issues around possible animal or bird nesting and a back log of soot build up within the chimney itself.
Both of these things can spark a fire in the chimney if left untreated and could potentially damage you’re the house in a serious way. Always make sure the chimney is clear, clean and safe before heading into winter.
7. Review Warranty Information
Most roofing materials will come with some sort of warranty ranging anywhere from 10 to 30 years or more. Whether you have a warranty on your roof or your homeowner’s insurance covers damage done to your roof you should be aware of what is covered before any damage happens.
Even though insurance companies generally cover roof damages caused by fire and weather incidents like high winds or snowfall you are responsible for routine roofing maintenance. It is your responsibility to ensure you maintain the product according to the warranty requirements, failure to do so may mean the warranty is void. See here for Colorsteel warranty conditions and requirements.
8. Inspect Your Internal Roof Space
Taking a good look inside your roof space is often the easiest way to spot any leaks or damage. If your roof has cracks or leaks you will usually be able to see evidence of moisture damage such as staining, dampness or mould.
Sometimes you may even spot unexplained areas of light coming through from the outside which are an instant sign of trouble and need to be investigated further.
When To Call An Experienced Roofing Contractor
While there are some maintenance tasks you can comfortably DIY such as the basic winter roof checks above – roofing repair, replacement, and installation generally warrant the services of a professional roofing contractor.
One of the main issues with DIY roof repair is that you may not have correctly identified the source of the problem, having only covered up the problem without addressing the underlying cause. Getting to the root cause of the issue is crucial to ensuring the integrity of the roof over time.
Hiring roof repair specialists means you are getting skilled professionals who understand the inner workings of the roofing system with years of experience to call upon when helping you make the best decision for your roof, your house and your wallet!
Roof repair contractors are the experts at performing all kinds of reroofing tasks and have all of the necessary tools and appropriate safety measures in place to ensure you get the best possible result avoiding the need for further repairs or escalating the problem.
Checking your roof before winter sets in can help you avoid the hassle of emergency repairs or roof replacements during the winter months when qualified roofers are fully booked and roofing materials are at a premium. Suspect you might have a leak in your roof or need roof repairs? Get in touch with the team at Action Reroofing today.
