3 Steps To Winterize Your Roof From Roofers In Lakewood, CO

Friday, 16 October 2020 11:53

There’s nothing quite autumn in Colorado. The crisp sunny days, the gorgeous golden leaves, and the seasonal activities are simply breathtaking. And on some days it’s hard to believe that the winter is just around the corner. In just a handful of weeks, temperatures will drop and snowstorms will begin to descend from the Rockies. Now is the perfect time for Lakewood homeowners to start preparing their property for the winter. And Ethos is here to guide you through the process as the top roofers in Lakewood, CO.

Today, we’ll break down the most essential steps to effectively winterize your roof. If you follow these tips and tricks, your property will be fully prepared to endure the impending months of winter weather.


Prepping Your Home For Winter: Advice From Our Roofers In Lakewood, CO

Winterizing your roof may sound like an arduous task. But it’s actually simpler than you might think! Just follow these three steps and you’ll be all set for the coming winter.

Remove Potential Roofing Hazards

On average, the city of Lakewood can see up to 65 inches of snow in a year, according to Best Places. That is a tremendous amount of annual snowfall that can pose serious threats to the integrity of your home. Of course, your roof should be able to handle the weight of all that snow. However, that snow can cause significant damage to your roof in other ways.

For instance, consider your gutter systems. Your gutters and downspouts are in place on your home to safely direct stormwater away from your home. When your gutters become clogged with leaves and other debris, they won’t function properly.

The water run-off from those winter storms will pool up in your gutters and inevitably spill over. This can lead to significant water damage on your fascia boards and your property’s siding, and it may even erode your home’s foundation. And when those elements of your property become damaged, it opens up the door to further property damage down the line.

In order to avoid that winter-time damage, you need to clean out your gutters and downspouts this fall. As experts on Angie’s List recommend, you should try to clean out your gutters at least twice a year (in the fall and the spring).

In addition to your gutter systems, you should also keep an eye out for any tree limbs or branches that are hanging over your home. Those branches may be pleasing to look at, but they pose a significant danger to your property.

As snow accumulates on them in the winter, those branches will become heavier and heavier. At a certain point, they’ll snap and fall directly onto your roof, which can inflict some serious exterior and interior damage on your roof.

Take the initiative now to cut and trim those branches! For more precarious branches, you may need to call in the professionals to trim those areas. With fewer potential hazards threatening your roof, you’ll have less to worry about this coming winter.

Pay A Visit To Your Attic Space

While you may store old boxes and personal items in your attic, it isn’t solely an extra storage space in your home. Your attic actually plays an important role in your roof’s anatomy and for the rest of your property. In fact, both your attic vents and your insulation help regulate the temperature inside of your home and on your roof.

If your vents or your insulation aren’t functioning properly, a number of problems may occur. Some of the most common problems include:

  • Ice dams - Caused by escaping heat during the winter, ice dams can inflict water damage on your property, add significant weight to your roof structure, and present falling hazards.
  • Mold and mildew growths - Without a steady supply of fresh air, moisture can start to hang in the air of your attic. This can lead to mold growths, which can then spread to other areas of your home.
  • Rotting wooden structures - As the excess water finds its way into your home, it can lead to the deterioration of your roofing system. Everything from your shingles, decking, and rafters can become structurally compromised by the excess moisture.
  • Rust - When there’s moisture in the air, metal components of your roof are likely to rust and break. These may include things like your plumbing system, heating system, and venting duct straps.

When you visit your attic, make sure to pay close attention to your vents and your insulation. If you notice any abnormalities, such as stale air or mold on your insulation, you’ll need to contact a Lakewood roofer to verify the damage.

Schedule An In-Depth Roofing Inspection

At the end of the day, there’s only so much that you can do as a homeowner to prepare your roof for winter. The best way to get your property 100% ready for the impending snowstorms is to have your property thoroughly inspected by the professionals. Whether your roofers provide the roofing inspection for free or for a low cost, their findings can be invaluable.

During their inspection, your roofers will check for signs of common signs of damage or concern. They will take the time inspecting things like your:

  • Shingles - Are any of them missing, damaged, or improperly installed? Do any sections of shingles appear sunken? Are any shingles loose from damaged sealant bonds?
  • Roof flashing - Many roof features, such as your chimney, are surrounded by a thin sheet of metal to prevent leaks. If the flashing is bent or rusted, they’ll likely need repairs.
  • Valleys - These are particularly vulnerable areas of the roof, especially in the winter. Your roofer will ensure the valleys are installed correctly and in good condition.
  • Gutters - Are any of your gutters leaking, sagging, or misaligned?
  • Sealant - This material helps keep things like vent flashing and other roof features in place. Your roofer will ensure that there is enough sealant and that it hasn’t cracked or dried out.

Your roofers will also take their time to inspect the interior of your attic space and other areas of your home. During these interior checks, they’ll solely be checking for signs of water damage.

Once the inspection is complete, your roofers will make recommendations on how to repair your roof and how to best prepare it for winter.

Book Your Inspection With Our Roofers In Lakewood, CO

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Now is the best time to get your property prepared for the next several months of cold weather and heavy snowstorms. And Ethos is here to help.

At Ethos Roofing & Restoration, we have been repairing and replacing roofs across Denver and beyond for decades. We pride ourselves on our exceptional craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. Our roofers will do everything we possibly can to get your roof ready for winter.

Contact Ethos Roofing & Restoration today to schedule your FREE roofing inspection with the top roofers in Lakewood, CO.