The temperatures are dropping and the leaves are changing colors. That means winter is just on the horizon! Before the first snow of the season hits, you'll want to winterize your home to avoid damage. But, what exactly do you need to get done right now? Don't worry: we've got your back as the top roofers in Fort Collins, CO.
We created this winterization checklist to help you prepare your property for the harsh Colorado winter weather. Make sure you take care of the following tasks well before the holiday season.
4 Ways To Winterize Your Home From Roofers In Fort Collins, CO
These winterization tasks may sound like tedious chores, but they are entirely necessary. If you don't prepare for Colorado's winter storms, your home may incur significant damage.
In 2020, winter storms caused $1.1 billion in insured losses due to snow, ice, freezing, and flooding (III). And that was only for "insured" losses. If your insurance claim for winter storm damage is rejected, then you'll be stuck footing the bill for astronomical repairs in the winter and spring.
Save yourself some cash now and avoid emergency roofing repairs later by winterizing your home today.
1. Clean Your Gutters & Downspouts
Throughout the fall, your gutters will accumulate debris. This then causes water to pool up inside your gutter system, which can lead to all kinds of problems. These may include things like:
- Ice dams
- Hazardous icicles
- Dysfunctional gutter systems
- Pest infestations
- Exterior water damage
- Interior water leaks
- And even, foundation damage
To prevent these types of issues from happening, you'll want to clean out your gutters and downspouts. This task alone can help save you hundreds, if not thousands in the long term.
2. Trim Your Tree Branches
Are there any trees on your property? If so, take a look at their branches. Any branches that extend over your home should be trimmed before the first winter storm. This is because those branches may cause damage to your roofing system.
Throughout any given year, the city of Fort Collins receives an average of 48 inches of snow (BestPlaces). That kind of snowfall will place significant weight on tree branches. With enough weight, those branches will snap and fall onto your roof, which can inflict superficial and structural damage to your home.
For that reason, it's best to take care of this roof maintenance task sooner rather than later. You may need to call in the tree-trimming professionals for some branches.
3. Check Your Insulation and Attic Ventilation
Your home has multiple systems that work simultaneously to keep your property in tip-top shape. And your attic houses two of the most important systems: (1) your insulation and (2) your attic ventilation.
These two systems work together all year round to regulate the internal temperature of your home and the external temperature of your roof. In general, your insulation retains heat while your ventilation system removes moisture from your attic.
If either one of these systems is not functioning properly, then you risk damaging your roof and the rest of your home. This fall, make sure you pay a visit to your attic to check for things like:
- Mold or mildew growths on your insulation
- Insulation that's rotting or falling apart
- The presence of moisture in your attic space
- Signs of rust on metallic objects
- Signs of wood rot
If you notice any of these signs, then contact our roofers in Fort Collins ASAP to address your roofing issues.
4. Book A Roofing Inspection
Unfortunately, homeowners can only do so much to prepare their roofs for winter. There's only one surefire way to ensure your property is fully prepared for the impending winter: book a roofing inspection!
Your roofers are the experts, after all. They'll be able to perform an in-depth inspection to check for signs of damage everywhere on your property. From your shingles and gutters to your flashing materials and more, your roofers will identify all of the damage on your property. Reputable roofing contractors will even perform an interior inspection of your home too!
Once the inspection is finished, your roofers will go over all their findings with you in detail and give you an estimate. They'll even have recommendations on how to best prepare your home for winter.
With that kind of expertise, your property will be set for the next several months of winter.
Winterize Your Home With Our Roofing Contractors Today
The harsh winter weather of Colorado is fast approaching! Get ready for the impending season of snowstorms with a top roofing company in Fort Collins: Ethos Roofing & Restoration.
We have provided residential roofing services to Fort Collins and the Northern Colorado region for roughly 15 years. In that time, we have completed hundreds of roof replacement projects, roof repairs, and storm damage restorations. We'll leverage our exceptional craftsmanship and superior customer service to get your home all prepared for the winter.
Contact Ethos today to book your FREE roofing inspection with our experienced roofers in Fort Collins, CO.
