Get Your Ohio Metal Roof in Shape for Winter Weather Now

Ohio winters can get pretty rough, and fall home maintenance is an integral part of getting ready for the weather ahead. If you have made the wise investment of having a metal roof installed on your Ohio home, You will want to make sure to take proper care of it to ensure its functionality and increase its lifespan. Metal roofs are among the most durable and long-lasting options when it comes to roofing materials. They also provide the benefit of optimal insulation, but if you want to get the most out of your metal roof, you need to keep up with a few chores. Taking these steps to get ready for the winter ahead helps protect your investment in the metal roof and your entire home.

What Can Happen to a Metal Roof Over the Winter?

To fully understand why fall metal roof inspection and maintenance are necessary, it is essential to have a grasp of the dangers that lurk ahead. If you have a metal roof, consider the potential damage that could affect your roof over the winter.

• A leaky roof. It doesn’t take much for water to be able to seep into your roof. Even the tiniest holes can allow damaging water to invade your house. Once the water gets inside, it can expand with the freezing temperatures and force the roof to buckle and create more space for water to enter.

• Indoor leaks. Once water finds a way to enter through your roof, it will eventually get to the interior of your home and start dripping from the ceiling or walls. This not only results in a bunch of buckets and pots sitting around to collect water, but it can cause costly damage to your interior.

• The ice dam. This occurs when your roof is covered in snow, and the snow at the edge begins to melt during the day. As evening approaches, temperatures drop, and the snow re-freezes, which creates a dam made of ice. This dam can then trap water when the rest of the snow begins to melt, causing it to back up and enter your house.

• Look out below. Snow slides are like mini avalanches coming off your roof. At times, the entire bed of snow on the roof can become loose and slide off the edge. This can be dangerous to people and objects on the ground below.

• Damaged gutters. As ice and snow build up in your rain gutters, it can block the flow of water and damage other parts of the home, but this is not the only issue. Snow and ice can wreak havoc on the gutters themselves and irreparably damage them.

• Worst-case scenario. Snow and ice are very heavy and can pose an extreme danger to your roof. This is especially so after repeated cycles of freezing and thawing. No matter how sturdy your roof is, this weight can cause structural damage and potentially a full collapse of the roof.

What Is the Best Way to Get a Metal Roof Ready for Winter?

One of your best defenses against the perils of winter weather is to keep up with routine maintenance on your metal roof. As you prepare for winter, you will want to be sure that your family is safe, and you will not experience any damage that could cost a fortune to fix. Take these steps to ensure a safe winter for your metal roof.

• Visual inspection. It is always a good idea to take a good look at your roof several times a year. Fall is no exception, and it is also an ideal time to hire a roofing contractor to do a professional inspection. You will want to ensure that the roof’s edges are in good shape, as they provide the first line of defense against the elements. The edges also tend to be the place that suffers damage first. Any other damage or signs of wear should be addressed before the winter weather arrives.

• Clean it up. As you inspect the exterior of your metal roof, you will undoubtedly notice a buildup of leaves, twigs, and tree debris left behind by summer storms and your trees shedding their leaves at the end of the season. You may have larger limbs that have fallen, so you will want to remove them and be sure that they haven’t damaged your roof. Clean out the gutters to prevent clogs and dams that may cause water to back up and damage your home.

• Inspect your insulation. Once you have checked out the exterior of the roof, the next thing you want to do is look at the insulation underneath. Look for signs of water damage, as this may indicate a leak in the roof and inhibit the insulation’s ability to do its job.

• Look at your ventilation. While you’re checking the insulation, be sure to check that your attic is properly ventilated. Proper airflow in your attic is essential to improving energy efficiency and preventing leaks and moisture damage. If the heated air that builds up in your attic during the day can’t dissipate, it can contribute to the formation of ice dams and may create moisture as the hot air condenses. This moisture may cause rotting and mold growth, which is detrimental to your home.

• Do you have snow guards? If you have not installed snow stops or guards, fall is the time to make this crucial improvement to your metal roof. These projections stand up on your roof and prevent snow sliding off your metal roof in huge sheets.

Protect Your Roof This Season

As you can see, fall metal roof maintenance is crucial to keeping your home safe throughout the winter. If you have noticed any issues with your metal roof, reach out to a professional. Though a visual inspection from the ground can reveal a lot about your roof, a professional eye can see if you need more than maintenance. Be prepared for winter by protecting your roof this fall.