AQ Roofing LLC

With the cold season fast approaching in Arkansas, homeowners should prepare their residential roofing systems to take on the brunt of the elements that will come during the winter time. Arkansas is known to have humid summers, with rare occurrences of snow and hail. With that said, it’s still important to keep your roof prepared in case of a slight chance that you can encounter snow and hail. 

As such, you want to ensure that your home is comfortable, no matter what season it is. Remember that roofing maintenance is a year-round endeavor to ensure that your system remains in optimal condition. Yet, it’s very important to make thorough preparations during the cold-weather months. Keep in mind that under freezing conditions, your roof is the one protecting you from the elements. 

Here’s a comprehensive winter roofing maintenance list you can follow to safeguard your roof for the months to come. 

Remove Snow as Soon as You Can

While snow on your roof might be a picture-perfect scene for your Christmas album, it can damage your roofing system if it’s left on for too long. Just like ice, snow can take a toll on your roofing system due to the load it carries on the shingles. This means that if an area is slightly damaged, it could be at high risk of major damage. 

Your roofing contractor would also tell you that precipitation can cause problems on your roof. This is because precipitation build up can form ice dams when the snow melts. Ice dams form when melted ice begins to cool again on a heated roof. While water on your roof isn’t an uncommon occurrence, it can become a problem once they refreeze.

Usually, temperatures drop late into the night, ad then the ice melts as the sun rises and freezes once the weather cools. As a result, it creates an ice dam on your gutter system, backing up all sorts of runoff precipitation. In turn, this causes your shingles to loosen or even cause leaks if there’s substantial damage. To solve this issue, try to remove all the ice and snow from your roof as quickly and precisely as you can to keep it dry for prolonged periods of time. To further grant you peace of mind, make sure that you contact your local roof maintenance contractor to handle the job for you.

Inspect Your Flashing

One of the first things your residential roofing contractors will tell you to take a look at closely is your existing flashings. While they might have been installed properly during your previous roof replacement, they can become warped or damaged over time. If you find out that the flashing has some issues, make sure to contact your local roofer to have it fixed as soon as you can. If you have a damaged flashing, snow and cold precipitation can easily enter your roofing system and wreak havoc from within. If too much moisture builds up, you could be putting your roof at risk.

The same can also be said for your shingles. Since your shingles are the first point of contact between your roof and the elements, they’re the components that take the brunt of their effects. If you notice that your shingles begin to peel or chip, have them replaced by your local residential roofing contractor. If they’re left alone, moisture can build up and leak into your ceiling that can tarnish your interior living space.

Check Out Your Gutters

Another tip that any residential and commercial roofing contractor will tell you is to always check your gutters, especially during the winter season. This is because your gutters will be the first spot that freezing precipitation will build up on your home. In turn, proactively checking them reduces the chances of ice dams forming.

The reason why it’s important to regularly check your gutters is that if they’re filled with ice, your gutters’ integrity can be compromised. In turn, this leads to them weakening, causing them to tear off from your home. The last thing you’d want to encounter during the winter season is a gutter tear-off that can compromise your home and is also costly to repair. Remember that preventing ice dams from forming is key in keeping your gutters in pristine condition so that they can function properly.

Ensure Proper Attic Ventilation

Your attic is one of the most overlooked parts of your home since it primarily serves as a storage area that isn’t usually visited. But did you know that your attic’s ventilation is directly related to your roofing system’s health? This is because if your attic is poorly insulated or vented, it can lead to leaving your roof open to the elements and other kinds of damage such as leaks or ice dams.

When you’re having a roofing inspection, make sure that your roofers take a closer look at your attic, and ask for their recommendations. If your attic has sufficient ventilation routes and adequate insulation, then you’re all set. If they recommend installing new vents or recommend other actions, be sure to give it some thought as it will save you a lot of money in the long run. Remember that consistent airflow lets you get the most life out of your roofing system as possible.

Clear the Debris

Before the winter storms kick in, make sure that your roof and the surrounding components like the gutters, flashing, and downspouts are free of debris. This also includes small debris like pine needles, animal droppings, leaves and other kinds of dirt that can gather on the surface. Doing so helps your roof stay protected during a storm since moisture doesn’t have a high concentration on your roof. Those small debris mentioned earlier can absorb moisture, which will then rot, leading to leaks and water damage. You can clear the debris during the autumn season by using a roof rake or a broom to keep your roof protected all winter long.

Get Professional Assistance

Granted, there are some roof maintenance tasks that can be simply done on your own, but if you want to be certain that your roof is ready for the winter, you’re better off working with a professional roofing contractor to handle the significant jobs. By trusting in experts like us, you’re lifting the burden off yourself and securing your safety. You can enjoy preparing for the season knowing that you have skilled contractors taking care of your roof, worry-free.

If you’re looking for a commercial and residential roofing contractor who excels in quality and customer service, trust in AQ Roofing LLC! We take pride in what we do, and we put our passion into our work. We care for each job as if it were our own. Call us at (501) 214-7167, or fill out our contact form to request an estimate.