Rochester winter has hit early—is your home ready for it? A properly working roof and gutter system is a necessity for the coming months. Don’t worry, there’s still time for you to check off those last pre-winter tasks before the worst of the weather arrives, and here at Fine Line Improvements, we are happy to help with them all. Here are five things to do before the real Rochester winter hits:
Clean and Inspect Gutters
Debris-free gutters are essential heading into winter to ensure water is properly diverted away from your home. During the fall season, leaves and other debris collect in gutters, prohibiting water run-off. Now is the perfect time to clean those gutters and ensure they are in proper working condition for winter. Don’t feel like getting up on a ladder and checking yourself? Give us a call! We are happy to clean your gutters for you and inspect them while we’re up there.
Roof Inspection
Nobody wants a leaking roof this winter. Proper winter roof prep can save you stress, time, and money later. Schedule your free roof inspection now to address any last-minute repairs or replacements needed before the snow hits. A faulty roof can lead not only to water leaks but also to heat loss. Your roof should be inspected for damaged shingles, fascia, flashing, and more.
Inspect Attic Insulation
A properly insulated attic will prevent ice damming, which occurs when heat leaks from your home and causes snow to melt on your roof, then refreeze along the eaves. Ice dams trap water on your roof, which can cause damage to your roof, gutters, siding, and even the interior of your home. Having a properly insulated attic helps minimize heat loss from your roof, therefore decreasing the potential damage.
Improve Venting With Insulation Baffles
Another way to prevent ice dams this winter is with insulation baffles. These panels allow airflow between the new ridge vent and the existing soffit vents, preventing air from being trapped in the attic and causing a warm roof that would melt snow, which will refreeze as ice.
Trim Close-Hanging Branches
If the last few storms are any indication of what’s to come over the next few months, we all should be preparing for high winds and lots of snow. Close-hanging tree branches, especially from a dead tree, can cause a lot of damage to your roof during high winds or heavy snow. Eliminate those risks now by trimming any branches near your house that could fall during a bad storm.
