As stick season arrives now is the time to make sure that you’re prepping house for the upcoming winter. A little roof and gutter attention in October can prevent a lot of headaches come February. Here's a simple checklist to work through before the snow arrives.
There are 4 key areas of your home you should check for signs of wear before the winter to check the health of your roof and make a plan to prevent damage.
1 - Check your shingles: take a walk around your house and look for missing or damaged shingles, curling around the shingle edges, and asphalt granules in your gutters. These are all signs of aging and you want to catch them before snow covers your roof for the winter.
2- Inspect your flashing: check the metal trim that seals all the joints to chimneys, vents, and walls. Look for lifted areas or separation, rust or corrosion. Issues with flashing is a common source of roof leaks and can be heavily impacted by freeze-thaw cycles in the winter.
3- Clean and check your gutters: clogged gutters collect water that during the winter can freeze, expand, and put stress on your gutters and roofline. Clear leaves, check for sagging or loose sections, and make sure that the downspouts point away from your home. For more information check out our Fall Gutter Checklist blog with more details.
4- Check your attic ventilation: the attic is often overlooked, but poor ventilation is the main driver of ice dams which are a common and damaging winter roof problem in Vermont. Look to make sure your soffit and ridge vents are clear to prevent trapping heat and look for signs of moisture and staining which will only get worse in the winter.
⚠ Found something that needs attention? Vermont roofers book up quickly once the weather turns. If your checklist turned up missing shingles, flashing issues, or anything that needs professional attention, reaching out sooner is always better to ensure someone can take care of things before things snowy.