While Florida winters may not equal those experienced in other parts of the country, the temperature does drop quite a bit, so it’s important to take some steps to protect your home. When conducting maintenance, many homeowners focus mainly on plumbing, HVAC, or electrical equipment. However, your roofing also needs some attention as you prepare for the winter.
Ensuring that your roof gets the necessary care is essential if you hope to get the most life from it. The weather in Tampa is actually driest in the winter, so this makes it a great time for roof inspections, maintenance, and repairs. Our experts at Protek Roofing, Heating, Air & Solar have prepared 10 tips on how you can take care of your roofing this winter.
1. Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
The first step to ensuring that your roof is in good shape is scheduling a roof inspection with a team of experts like those at Protek Roofing, Heating, Air & Solar. Your roof is out of sight, so there’s a good chance that it’s probably also out of mind. It can be easy to overlook subtle problems that are affecting your roof’s ability to protect your home. You may even miss major issues that need to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Having your roof inspected on an annual basis will keep you apprised of any issues and give you a chance to have them repaired before they lead to problems like leaks, water damage, and mold growth. Our team has the professional tools and experience needed to thoroughly inspect your roof and take care of any issues that they find.
2. Have Your Roof and Gutters Cleaned
Ensuring your roof is regularly cleaned of debris plays a role in taking care of your roof not only during winter but also in the long term. Twigs, seeds, nests, and leaves that may have accumulated on your roof or gutters can restrict water flow. Water then collects on the roof and can lead to all sorts of problems. In addition to cleaning your gutters, you can also invest in a gutter-guard system this winter to reduce your maintenance tasks and provide even more protection for your roof.
3. Trim Surrounding Trees
You can also cut back on the amount of maintenance and cleaning your roof and gutters need by trimming trees and bushes that overhang or come into contact with your roof. Trees shed leaves and twigs that can fall on your roof and end up clogging your gutters. Tree limbs can even fall onto your roof, damaging shingles and other materials. To prevent all this, take some time to trim your trees or call in a professional to do the work for you.
4. Fix the Weather Stripping and Sealant of Your Roof
With season changes, your roof’s weather stripping or sealant may begin to wear and fall apart. Sealants are often placed around skylights or chimneys to ensure that they are safe from water and other elements. As time goes by, the sealant is bound to wear. Worn-out sealant allows outside air to get inside, which will affect the effectiveness of your HVAC system. This will lead to higher energy bills in both the summer and the winter. If you discover your sealant or weather stripping is worn out, contact the experts at Protek Roofing, Heating, Air & Solar for the necessary repairs.
5. Check the Flashing
Flashing is a thin material used to direct water away from crucial areas of your roof, like chimneys and vents. This material is susceptible to damage, and damaged flashing can cause leaks to develop around these areas. In Florida, winter is the best time to check your roof’s flashing because hurricane season is over and the weather is mild. We can replace any damaged flashing on your roof and ensure that it is protected from the elements.
6. Check the Roof Valleys
Where two slopes of your roof meet, they form a roof valley. The purpose of a roof valley is to facilitate the flow of water off of the roof structure. Unfortunately, debris has a tendency to collect in these valleys, hindering their ability to properly direct water. The debris can also put extra pressure on these areas and make them wear down quicker than other areas of the roof. Over time, the valleys can even deteriorate and let water and outside air into your home. To prevent this, you should regularly inspect the valleys of your roof to ensure that they are free of debris.
7. Look at the Shingles and Tiles
Shingles and tiles can break or get loose, especially during a storm. As your roof is being checked by a professional, they should ensure that no tiles and shingles appear broken, cracked, or missing. If they identify damaged or broken shingles, they should be replaced to keep your roof in the best condition. If you notice any damaged tiles and shingles, contact our technicians for an inspection or repair. You should also keep an eye out for excess shingle granules collecting in your gutters, as this could be a sign that your shingles are reaching the end of their lifespan and need to be replaced.
8. Check Your Attic Insulation
While you may not think that insulation has anything to do with roof maintenance, this isn’t the case. In addition to helping to keep your home at the right temperature, attic insulation ensures that your roof stays at the right temperature too. A lack of insulation can lead to a buildup of moisture on your roof, which can lead to mold growth and accelerated deterioration.
9. Check Inside for Leaks and Stains
Of course, winter isn’t the only time you should be watching for signs of water infiltration, but it makes sense to include leak detection as part of your roof maintenance tasks. Checking your attics for moisture from leaks that may have developed during the rainy season will give you the chance to identify leaks early and have them repaired. In addition to moisture, you also want to keep an eye out for stains on ceilings and walls. Often, a leak will show up as a stain several feet away, so it’s important to reach out to a professional for a roof inspection if you find any water stains indoors.
10. Replacing Your Roof
If it’s time for a new roof, winter is the best time to schedule a roof replacement in Tampa. The dry, mild weather means that you don’t have to worry about storms during the replacement project. You can also gain peace of mind knowing that you have a new roof going into spring and the Atlantic Hurricane Season that arrives in early June.
Are you in need of roofing services in Tampa, FL or the surrounding area? At Protek Roofing, Heating, Air & Solar, we inspect, repair, and install roofs for residential and commercial property owners. Our team specializes in tile roofing, but we’re highly experienced with all types of roofing materials. In addition to roofing services, we repair, install, and maintain heating and cooling systems and provide indoor air quality solutions. Call us at Protek Roofing, Heating, Air & Solar to set up an appointment or learn more about our services.
