Tips to Protect your Roofing In Grand Rapids Michigan During Winter

Protecting your home through the winter months in Michigan can be rough but your roof is expected to do so. Winter is especially tough on roofing materials here in Michigan because of the brutal cold and associated winds that can be downright frigid. Although your roof is always in these elements and expected to protect your home making sure it is protected can certainly help. Here at Grand Rapids Home Pros we’ve listed some tips to help sustain your roofing during the colder winter months so that it continues to protect your home. 

Tips to Protect your Roofing In Grand Rapids Michigan During Winter

When there is a problem on your home’s roof getting it repaired quickly is crucial to protecting the home. Allowing a roof leak to continue for some time can lead to all sorts of problems. Extended roof leaks can lead to structural damage on the home, lower energy efficiency, and even mold growth in the home which can be unhealthy to even be around. When you suspect there is a problem with your home’s roof be sure to call the experts to make an inspection and repair any problems with the roof. It is not advised that you go on the roof yourself and make any repairs or to do an inspection as this can be dangerous.

Make Sure You’re Insulated

A big problem that many home owners face during winter is they don’t have proper insulation or ventilation for the roof. Your roof should be ventilated even during winter. As warm air rises in the attic and contacts cool air it can certainly cause problems. Don’t stop up vents in the roof even during winter as this will cause problems. Roofing insulation is also needed to ensure the roof will protect against the weather. As the roofing surface gets cold the insulation can help protect the inside of the home from the cold which can be much better in terms of energy efficiency.

Clear Snow From Roof

Snow on your roof may not inherently be bad but over time it can certainly lead to problems. The weight of compacted snow can sometimes be a problem. For snow on eaves of the home it can lead to a problem called a roof ice dam. When you have roof ice dam protection in place it can help with this problem but if the snow persists long enough it can cause problems.

Ensure Gutters Are Not Clogged and Frozen

One problem that many people don’t consider is the gutters on their homes. When the gutters get clogged it can cause ice to start building up in the gutters. This can cause problems as it does not allow water to fall away from the roof if the temperature gets above freezing at any point. Just like snow on the eaves of the home clogged gutters can lead to the same roof ice dam problems. What’s even worse is that it will get worse over time and the problem will also remain during summer months as well. Make sure your gutters are clear and flowing to prevent this problem from occurring on your home in Grand Rapids Michigan.

Be Weary of Overhanging Trees

Trees that are over your home can provide shade during summer months and help with cooling costs. Unfortunately, they can certainly cause problems during the winter months as snow and ice start to weigh the branches down. During colder months after rain the freezing rain and stick to branches and break them ultimately falling on the roofing surface which can puncture the roof. Even when the branch doesn’t break it can still cause problems if the branch rubs on the roof damaging the roofing shingles. If there are any trees that are overhanging your home be sure to have them trimmed. You’ll also need to be aware of any other components such as antennae or satellites that are not properly installed.

Get a Roof Inspection

If you’re not sure what shape your roof is in be sure to call us at Grand Rapids Home Pros for a roof inspection. We’ll send a experienced roofing expert to inspect your home’s roof and if there are any problems we can repair your roof as well.