How To Prevent Winter Gutter Damage To Your Roof

The amount and size of snow that winter brings each year changes. Notice that as the years go by, snow becomes heavier and thicker than the previous ones. If you have ignored your gutters before winter comes, expect that the snow will bring possible winter gutter damage to your roof. This can prevent melted ice from flowing freely through the downspouts, which in turn, will result to other problems. The good news is you can actually prevent winter gutter damage to your roof through the following tips.

Clean your gutters before winter comes

It is important to prepare your gutters right before winter comes. Make sure that you remove all sorts of debris that may have lodged into them. This is very important in keeping the gutters away from ice build ups and ice dams. At this time of the year, expect that leaves may have clogged the gutter. Remove all of them from your roof and gutters prior to the onset of winter.

Check your roof insulation

Make sure it is working. Remember that the roof insulation can help melt snow that falls on your roof. If it does not work, there is a big chance that it will impede the flow of melted ice which will definitely damage your gutters before you even know it. You have to make it a point that heat does not escape from your home because if it does, it is a sign that the insulation is damaged.

You will need heating cables on your rooftop

This will help melt the snow that will drop on your roof. This may require some amount of cash but you will definitely realise that this is a worthy investment. It will not just protect your roof but it will also be a foolproof solution to get rid of winter damage on your gutters. An added bonus is the fact that rooftop heating cables will add value to your home should you decide to sell it in the future.

Have a look at your roof shingles

Make sure that each piece of shingle is still intact. You need to check every single one of the shingles to find out if they are firmly fastened to their respective places or not. Loose shingles will definitely be a problem to both your roof and gutters. Just a single shingle that is not fastened in place will allow the cold temperature to seep into your home. Have the shingles repaired at once if you notice any fault in them.

You will also need to install a gutter guard

Nobody is ever sure of how much snow will fall every single day during winter. Heavy snow fall will definitely put more weight on the roof causing it to buckle down. A gutter guard will help prevent this from happening. A gutter guard can also help support the load capacity of your gutters thus reinforcing and strengthening the structure which will help in taking heavy snowfall.

Get your roof rake ready

Buy one if you do not have any. A roof rake will help you remove snow from the roof and will protect your gutters from winter damage. Make sure that you use the roof rake properly or else you might end up scraping the surface which can damage the material. You definitely would not want the roof rake to be the cause of your gutter’s damage.

It is important to have your gutter inspected and repaired as the case may be. You should ask the help of experts who specialize in gutters in Toronto when it comes to this part. Remember that like with any other problem, “an ounce of prevention will always be better than a pound of cure.”