It’s now August, which means we’re only a couple months away from fall here on Vancouver Island. With wetter and windier weather on the horizon, there’s one question all homeowners on the West Coast should be asking themselves – is my roof ready for winter?
Often, with leading busy lives, homeowners forget about how important the integrity of a roof can be. Even though the west coast of Vancouver Island receives a lot more rain than the east side of the island, communities like Nanaimo, Parksville, Ladysmith and Qualicum all still sees their fair share of rain and snow during the colder months
Being ahead of the weather is always a good idea, as being proactive can save a homeowner a lot of money in the long run by reducing the need for costly roof repairs and even entire roof replacements. Snowfall on Vancouver Island is usually very heavy with moisture, meaning a relatively small snowfall can cause severe damage to an old or poorly maintained roof. Repairs in these situations can run up to tens of thousands of dollars.
However, by taking the right steps to protect your home you can rest easy this upcoming fall and winter season.
Clean Gutters
Leaves and debris from close by trees can collect in a person’s gutter system. Eventually, the build-up of collected debris can lead to a clog in the downspouts of a gutter. This is when the rain starts to overflow from the gutter and damages aspects of the roof such as trim and siding. Often, the added weight from water build-up and wet leaves becomes more than the average gutter can handle causing gutters to loosen from their anchor points and tragically collapse.
Preventing and avoiding a catastrophe like a gutter collapse is easily achievable by staying ahead of the seasons, getting out the ladder, and clearing out the gutters.
Clear off Debris
It is equally important to remove the same debris that can build up in gutters from the surface of a roof too. Smalls bits of debris will retain moisture and possibly rot or mold. When that starts, it will break down roofing material like granules on roofing shingles.
Only if a person is comfortable with walking on their roof, get up there and broom or blow off settled debris. Pay special attention to tiny crevasses where debris could easily build up and are more vulnerable to water damage. It’s imperative that they are free so that water can freely flow and not build.
Check for Damages and Signs of Deterioration
If one falls into the brave category who ventured up to the roof, scan the surface of the roof. A person should search for missing shingles or shingles that have been cracked, curled, or appear to have frayed edges (a person could use binoculars to inspect from the ground to inspect the roof).
While scanning, check for possible damaged flashing around vent stacks, chimneys, and skylights. Areas like these areas are susceptible to leakage. Repairing flashing can be tricky, luckily Shoreline Roofing and Exteriors can help.
Attic Insulation and Ventilation
When an attic does not get adequate air flow, a person could be paying a higher than necessary energy bill, and encounter roof leaks. Throughout the day, the sunbeams its heat on a roof and heats up the air in an attic. If there is not proper ventilation through the soffits, ridges, and gables of a roof, hot air starts to condensate. This causes moisture to build, and mold to grow which will rot a roof from the inside out.
Trapped hot air in an attic, when it has no place to go, will find its way out and seep into common living areas. This may sound great in the winter and fall, but it will ask more of one’s air conditioner in the hot summer months.
The experts at Roofpro offer a wide variety of services, including roof installations, repairs and maintenance. We also perform thorough roof inspections and will check for all possible issues with your roof. If you don’t feel comfortable venturing atop your roof, then don’t. Leave it to the pros at Roofpro.
Roofpro is your go-to Central Vancouver Island roofing company. Based in Nanaimo, Roofpro offers services to all communities from Duncan to Campbell River, as well as Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet. We provide a wide variety of roofing services catered to your unique needs and specifications. Call us at 250-248-3400 or email us at info@theroofpro.ca today to find out more about how we can put a roof over your head!