Three Roof Maintenance Tips for the Winter Season

With 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s no wonder why so many of us living in the southwest neglect one of the most important elements of our home – the roof over our heads. 

That is – until the winter rains or monsoon storms hit. All of a sudden, what could have been prevented with regular maintenance has snowballed into a costly repair.

Remember the old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”…?

Just like your car, studies show that a roof that’s not regularly maintained will only last about half of its expected service life. Everyday exposure to environmental elements including the sun, moisture, foot traffic and pests can damage your roof’s surface. Add to that the intense heat of the summer and infrequent rain, and you now have what could be a recipe for disaster. You could have a roofing problem just waiting to happen and not even know it.

But what steps should you take to maintain a roof? How do you know what to look for? And when should you call on an expert for help?

The three key steps to extending the service life of your roof are proper maintenance, regular inspections and prompt repairs.

1 | Schedule an Inspection

A roof should be inspected at least once a year – before the season with the most severe weather – particularly if you have a flat roof or one that is 15 years or older. Unlike most parts of the country where winter is the most severe, it’s during the winter rains of December and January as well as the monsoon storms that hit us between June and September that Arizona roofs take the most beating. The sudden drop in temperature that accompanies these two seasons of rain poses the risk of thermal shock, which can weaken your roof’s surface.

“Like an oil change for your car, the purpose of regular roof inspections is to extend the service life of your roof,” points out Brandon Niskanen of Pinnacle Roofing. “Keeping up with regularly maintenance and scheduled inspections, identifying problem areas and performing any necessary repairs quickly will prevent long-term damage and maintain your warranty.” It’s important to remember that almost all manufacturers include a disclaimer in their roofing warranties that the warranty is void if regular maintenance is not maintained.

2 | Regular Roof Maintenance

If you’re the Do-It-Yourself Type that’s not afraid to hop on a ladder and check things out on your own, here are a few preventive measures you can take to extend the life of your roof. Keep in mind that the leading cause of household accidents resulting in emergency room visits is falling from a ladder, so be sure to take proper safety precautions before attempting any of these on your own. And if you have an older roof, be aware that even just the weight of walking in certain areas can weaken your roof’s surface.

• Remove debris such as leaves, twigs and trash regularly to prevent clogged gutters or water ponding
• Look for areas of ponding on flat roofs or areas where your roof is flat
• Look for leaks, most commonly found anywhere there is a protrusion such as a skylight, roof vent or chimney
• Look for splits or cracks, which can be sealed with roofing patch made of asphalt emulsion
• Cut back any overhanging trees or landscape

3 | Prompt Roof Inspections and Repairs

Some roofing problems are better left to the experts. Reach out to a certified roofing professional such as Rosie Certified Partner, Pinnacle Roofing, if you encounter any of the following issues:

• You see evidence of pests such as bees, birds or insects
• Interior ceiling leaks or storm damage
• Cracked, broken and/or missing tile or shingles
• Following an intense hail storm
• Purchasing a new home

###

ABOUT PINNACLE ROOFING

With more than 25 years of roofing experience, Pinnacle Roofing provides roofing inspections, repairs and replacement services for customers valley-wide and offers comprehensive warranties for most all types of roofing from repairs to re-roofs, residential and commercial.  Specialties include foam roofing, tile roofing and roof coatings. Contact Pinnacle Roofing to schedule your winter maintenance.

 

 

---

    Print this page