We have enjoyed warmer-than-average temperatures this Fall, but we know winter is coming. The Rooferees at Weatherguard Inc. recommend homeowners take advantage of the last few days of mild temps to get your home ready for the long, cold winter.

Start with the gutters. The leaves from our neighborhood trees have fallen, but several never made it to the ground before being caught in your gutters. If the gutters are full of leaves, rain and melted snow can’t properly drain, leading to ice jams. The weight of frozen gutters can cause them to pull away, leading to damage to your roof and siding.

The roof is another point of concern heading into winter. Roofs take a beating from the snow, rain, ice and wind, but you can take a few precautions now.

Inspect your roof now. Replace or repair broken, missing or loose shingles. Clear away accumulated piles of leaves, sticks, branches, and other debris on the roof. Pay attention to the spots where roofscapes meet as items can collect there.

Cut back any branches that are hanging over your roof or gutters. Look for creeping vines or plants that have approached your roof – they can grow up under shingles and into gutters, leading to damage.

Check in your attic and ceilings for any signs of water damage. Keep an eye on this throughout the winter as it may be a sign that an ice jam has formed (Link to past ice jam blog), and this can lead to significant damage to your roof and home.

It’s not a bad idea to invest in a roof rake now if you have lower roofs that can be safely accessed from the ground. Any accumulated snow you can safely remove will help.

The Rooferees recommend taking the time now to follow these precautions – it can safe you headaches, and possibly damage, this winter!