Winter is still very much in full swing throughout the country, and it doesn’t seem that the cold weather, snow and wet conditions will be letting up anytime soon.
Your house, and the ground around it, will just have to withstand a few more bouts of water, ice and snowy conditions until the spring thaw. Follow these quick tips to keep your house safe from the wet weather that winter brings.
Remove Excess Snow on the Roof
Don’t wait for warmer temperatures to melt the snow that is building up on your roof. A single cubic foot of snow (depending on its density) can weigh up to 20 pounds. This pressure can not only damage your shingles, it can also put a lot of stress on aging roofs.
Snow removal is a dangerous and fragile process, and simply scraping snow off of your roof with a rake or shovel can chip away at and damage your shingles.
Check Your Gutters
Even if you cleaned your gutters in the fall, you should still do a routine check to make sure that they are clear of any obstructions. If the temperatures are extremely low, make sure that no ice has built up inside the downspouts. Water should be flowing freely through them.
You also want to make sure that your downspouts are long enough to channel water far away from your home. If your downspouts only extend a few inches away from your house, they will deposit water into the soil around your foundation. It may be frozen solid now but once the spring hits, all the ice will thaw and you could be dealing with leaks in your basement.
It’s very easy and cheap to purchase and install downspout extensions that will keep the moisture in the soil around your home to a minimum.
Repair Your Windows and Skylights
Take a close look at your windows. Is there a lot of condensation on the inside of them? Is there frost built up on the trim? These are signs that your windows are either damaged or improperly sealed, allowing water to get inside.
Constant drafts will also alert you that window replacement may be necessary. Even though it’s the middle of winter, you can still have them replaced by a professional company.
Make a Quick Trip Up to Your Attic
If you haven’t been up to your attic this winter, grab a flashlight and take a quick look around. You want to make sure that no water is leaking into your home. Look for saturated wood or insulation. This will let you know if there is a leak that needs to be repaired.
Don’t Wait for the Spring for Repair Jobs
Exteriors companies work all throughout the winter, so you don’t have to wait until the weather warms up to have any repairs completed. If water is getting into your home, it is something that should be fixed immediately. Otherwise, you risk even more expensive repairs down the road.
To get a quick estimate on any exterior, snow/ice removal or insulation project, contact Schmidt Roofing today!
