It’s no secret that the winters in Buffalo, NY can be extremely brutal. Our area has nearly triple the amount of average snowfall compared to the rest of the United States. This season’s cold temperatures and high snowfall can create a lot of issues for homeowners, such as blocked driveways and frozen pipes. But one often overlooked area that can be destroyed by the winter weather is your roof.

If you’ve got roofing issues, now is the time to fix them. The winter can make matters worse – as the weight of snow and ice only puts more pressure on any weak points. Plus, it is quite difficult to fix roofs if there is a thick layer of snow or ice on top.

Thankfully there are some preventative measures to take to prepare your roof for the upcoming winter. Keeping up with routine maintenance throughout the year is very important for extending the life of your home’s roof. But even more care should be done in the months and weeks before the first snowfall.

Here’s what you should do to make sure your roof is ready for the long winter ahead.

1. Have Your Roof Inspected and Cleaned

First, you’ll want to schedule a roofing tune-up to see if there are any parts that need to be repaired, such as missing shingles, cracked seals, or damaged areas. During this inspection, they will also check the flashing. This is a thin metal under the shingles and around any openings that protects your home from moisture seeping in.

Roof inspectors will also provide some tune-up services during this appointment, such as sealing plumbing vent pipes and replacing a couple of missing shingles. They will also provide you with a roof report to let you know if there are any serious concerns.

Once those repairs are done and your roof is deemed to be in good enough shape, the next step is to book a roof cleaning service. This helps to remove any build-up from the fall (such as leaves and branches) which could create mold to form, weakening your roof.

It’s important to get your roof cleaned before winter for several reasons. First, you need to wash away the debris before it snows. Any remnants from the summer and fall can cause issues like mildew, staining, and algae growth, which ruin your shingles.
Second, there will need to be time for your roof to dry out in direct sunlight. Make sure that there is no chance of snow in the upcoming forecast!

2. Check the State of Your Gutters

If your gutters aren’t cleaned out or installed properly, it may lead to the formation of ice dams in the winter. Ice dams form on the side of the roof when the snow is unable to drain. Clogged-up or misshapen gutters can cause this issue. Further, the runoff from the snow and ice can damage your gutters or even pull them off of the roof if they aren’t properly secured.

You can ask a roof inspector to check on your gutters during your tune-up. They will be able to tell you if you need to replace any sections which have been damaged or have detached.

You’ll also want to have your gutters cleaned out to flush any remaining leaves, sticks, and dirt out. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to clean and repair small issues with your gutters. First, you’ll need to scoop out as much of the remaining debris as possible. Then, you can flush the gutters using a garden hose. This will also show if there are any leaks or cracks.

You can seal up any small holes or cracks with a seam sealer from your local hardware store. If any sections are loose or hanging off of your roof, you’ll want to reattach them using hanger brackets.

If you’ve got lots of branches and leaves that seem to fill up your gutters frequently, consider having gutter guards installed. This ensures that only water gets into the gutters, and all other debris slides off of the top.

It’s also recommended that you trim any overhanging branches around your home. These branches may break and fall under heavy snowfall, and they can damage your roof and fill up your gutters.

3. Find a Roofer Who Provides Winter Repairs

Even if you do take care of your roof year-round, there is always the chance that you’ll need an emergency repair. Say that a heavy branch falls on your roof after a storm or it suddenly collapses! Unfortunately, there are very few roofers who will actually do work in the winter, due to the cold weather conditions and difficulties.

But what if you’ve got an emergency, what are you to do? You will want to have a backup roofer who will offer repairs even in the dead of winter.

There’s good news though – Wm. C. Rott & Sonn is one of the few Buffalo, NY roofing companies that offer winter services. You can call us in to fix missing shingles, repairs, or even full roof replacements if needed. We are open 52 weeks a year, so you can rely on us to handle the job when no one else can.

Time to Get Your Roof Ready Before Winter

A good roof should last you for many years. But the harsh winter weather in Buffalo, NY can do a lot of damage. Whether you need major roof repairs or you just want to get ready for the winter season, it’s important to have a roofer you can rely on to handle preventative maintenance and any unexpected repairs no matter the time of year.

Wm. C. Rott & Son Roofing is here to help you take care of your roof’s home and prep it for whatever weather Buffalo, NY has for us this year. Contact us today to learn about our roofing services and schedule a tune-up, roof cleaning, or repair service.