Winter is around the corner, which means that it’s time to make sure your home is ready to withstand the cold, snow, and ice that the season brings. While some steps are simple, it would be best to leave the rest to the professionals. You can trust Gutterworks’ experienced technicians to get the job done. You can contact us at mike@gutterworkswv.com for help with any of the eight steps we list below.
1) Unclog your gutters
At least once a year, your gutters require a clean-out. Gutters need cleaning even more often if your property is wooded or if you’ve had a large number of storms. Clogged gutters allow water, snow, and ice to collect in places they shouldn’t. If your gutter system seems consistently obstructed, ask us about gutter guards!
2) Inspect your gutters for issues
Specifically, make sure that your drip edge is installed correctly. Having a drip edge that doesn’t extend over your gutter can leave your home vulnerable to water damage when colder weather comes around. Ice dams can form, allowing water to build up between the gutter and wood fascia. You can also make sure that your gutters have proper alignment. Alignment is necessary to keep water moving to your downspouts. If the pathway is out of alignment, water can collect and freeze in the cold of winter. There may also be seams allowing water to flow out the bottom of your gutters. Our professionals are specifically trained to spot these issues.
3) Inspect and clear downspouts
Gutters guide water from your home’s roof to downspouts, where it’s routed a safe distance from your foundation {Link to Sept.1st Blog To-Be Added}. Obstructed downspouts could leak or even overflow, defeating their purpose. Clear them before winter to prevent any issues.
4) Inspect your roof
A damaged roof cannot protect your house from snow, ice, and cold. Things to look for are fading, moss/discoloration, and missing shingles. Only a professional can spot some of the signs of a roof that is not winter-ready. A heavy snow or ice storm exacerbates any existing damage and could allow water to penetrate your home. Having your roof inspected before winter enables you to fix any problems before more costly damage can occur.
5) Trim nearby trees
Limbs near your roof and gutters are one heavy snow or ice storm away from breaking, causing damage to your home. Mitigate your risk by trimming them back before the weather becomes makes the job too tough to tackle. Experts recommend trimming trees in late fall or winter. During these seasons, trees are more visible, and harm to the tree can be minimal.
6) Check plumbing around your house
If you have a hose connected to a faucet on your house, you need to make sure you detach it before freezing temperatures set in. If you forget to disconnect hoses, water is prevented from draining properly through the pipes. That water may freeze, which would be an expensive plumbing issue. Additionally, you should ensure that everyone who lives in your home knows how to turn off the main water supply. That way, if something does go awry with your pipes, you can stop the water flow as soon as possible. If possible, you should always prevent any possibility of water collecting near your foundation, and frozen pipes make this risk a reality.
Insulating your attic is a winterizing technique for some clear reasons: insulation prevents heat from escaping – yes, that heat that you pay for each month. However, insulating your attic is important for the health of your roof as well. When heat escapes through your attic’s ceilings, that heat can melt snow that may have collected on your roof. Melted snow can eventually create ice dams.
Ultimately, Gutterworks is here for your winterizing professional needs, and we are happy to talk about services if you call us at 304-848-9870.