Winter is coming as the holiday season draws near. However, it doesn’t have to be a chore-riddled nightmare before you leave for your vacation homes in a few weeks. By making sure your entire home — especially your roof — has proper winterization, you’ll never need to worry much about them while you enjoy your time away from home.

To get your roof ready for the winter season, you won’t be using special tools and equipment in doing so. In fact, a regular roof inspection is the most important part in winterization. Additionally, having a Clinton Township MI contactor you can trust on standby is essential. This ensures they can address any issues and problems that may arise while you’re away on vacation.

IKO has a great guide on roof winterization that we’d like to put on the spotlight below. Read on!

Winter Approacheth

The leaves are changing color, and you’re giving thought to digging out the snow tires for the car – you need to get it ready for winter. An equally beneficial time investment can be made on your home’s roof; it needs to get ready for winter too. Don’t worry, it won’t take long; mostly it’s just a simple visual inspection. And you want to have it done now before snow and frost gets on the roof. It’s best to call a professional roofing contractor – not many of us know all the safety precautions regarding ladders and working on high/sloped roofs, and many contractors offer a flat-rate fall roof “tune-up” to cover many of the items mentioned below.

You’ve Been Busy

You’ve likely been busy golfing and camping all summer and haven’t been up close with your roof since spring, so the first thing you want to have checked is….how does it look? Any missing shingles (some sides of your roof are hard to see from the ground, so get all areas checked)? Any exaggerated sag in the roof ridge line? Any other damage from nearby or fallen trees/branches? If so, you should arrange for repairs before winter sets in – before those damaged areas are concealed by snow, and your home’s interior is at risk of water entry.

While The Pro Is Up There Looking Over The Shingles

Remind them to kneel down and take a closer look at the areas where shingles meet flashing, bricks, plumbing stacks, antenna mounts, etc. These areas often have a bead of sealant as an additional watershedding aid, and over years this sealant can weather and crack, so you should repair/re-seal any such weathered spots with a suitable roofing sealant. (Continued)

True enough, IKO’s tips are a bit on the general side. In fact, it’s a bit narrative-lengthy, and you might not have enough time to read. So, Asset Insights has a technical yet list-type post about how you can winterize your properties for the coming winter season in Clinton Township MI.

1. Enclosure System -[ Roofs, Canopies and Other Projections

  • Check for missing, damaged or loose components.
  • Check that flashings and appurtenance (such as antennas and signage) are properly fastened.
  • Check seals around chimneys, drain vents, and other service penetrations through the roof.
  • Clean gutters, eaves troughs, downspouts, and area drains.
  • Check that drain screens are properly secure.
  • Remove any debris and summer storage from the roof surface.
  • Clearance prune tree limbs and other foliage that may interfere with the roof system.

2. Terraces/Decks, Balconies, & Patios

  • Cover and fasten all seasonal furniture or move it to indoor storage.
  • Check membranes for damage and carry out necessary repairs.
  • Check planters for proper drainage.
  • Advise residents regarding care and maintenance of traffic membranes under ice and snow conditions and policies regarding hanging of Christmas lights, etc.

3. Windows, Doors & Walls

  • Check around doors and windows for gaps and seal/caulk as required.
  • Check for worn or missing weather-stripping.
  • Replace worn door stops.
  • Adjust door closers for proper tension.
  • Lubricate locks and hinges to ensure proper operation during colder temperatures.
  • Clearance prune shrubs and trees that may interfere with walls and windows.
  • Check wall cladding for any missing, damaged or loose components. Repair as required.
  • Replace sealed glazing units where the thermal seals have failed.

5. Mechanical System – Heating and Ventilation

  • Service central heating equipment.

  • Check requirements of heat pumps, air handlers and other heating systems for freeze protection and winterization procedures.

  • Replace/clean filters on equipment, as required

  • Inspect flue pipes and seams for proper support, any holes and cracks. Repair as required.

  • Clean chimneys and flues as required.

  • Vacuum vents and terminal/packaged heating devices, as may be required.

  • Clean laundry dryer vent runs and lint traps

  • Clear any obstacles from heating vents so air can flow freely.

  • Test operation of HVAC controls and instrumentation such as thermostats and humidistats.

  • Check for any carbon monoxide leaks.

  • Check that air intake vents are not blocked.

  • Check that there is adequate clearance around central heating equipment and terminal devices.
  • Check operation of dampers on exterior walls, such as those at rooftop mechanical rooms. (Continued)

At this point, it’s important to make sure you’re working with a contractor that can provide the best winterization and pre-winter repairs and roofing services you need. If you have yet to find one in Corpus Christi TX, you can count on us at Miller’s Home Improvement. Learn more all about we can do for you today!