aerial photography of houses coated with snow

Checklist for Winterizing Your Roof

Winter is coming, and when the cold hits, you won’t want to be caught off guard. To make sure that your roof is prepped for the cold, there are a couple of tasks you should do. To assure your roof is winterized, here is a helpful checklist for your roof.

1. Clean Your Gutters

One of the most important things to do toward the end of fall is to clean out any leaves or debris that have fallen into the gutters. The extra weight combined with the expansion of water can damage your gutters, resulting in costly repairs.

2. Cut Down Branches That Hang Over Your Roof

When branches become heavy with snow, they can break and fall onto the roof, causing damage. Be sure to cut down anything that could potentially fall.

3. Insulate and Ventilate Your Attic

It’s best to make sure that your house is ready for the cold before it hits. Heating and ventilation aren’t only important for maintaining the inside temperature of the house. These two things are also important for preventing damage to your roof when water melts and then refreezes.

4. Inspect Your Roof

Look for signs of mold or rot in your roofing. It’s better to spot it and fix it before the cold weather comes.

5. Replace Flashing and Caulking

Your house should never go without the proper caulking and flashing. These will prevent your roof from leaking when the snow begins to melt.

6. Inspect and Clean Your Chimney

If you have a house that has an operational chimney, be sure to have it inspected and cleaned. This step will give you peace of mind every time you use your chimney because you won’t have to worry about your house catching on fire. If you’re chimney is non-operational, make sure to get it fixed!

Need help? View the community services by Shovel up Boise.

Whenever cold weather and snow is coming, you need to make sure that your roof will be safe from damage the entire winter. Follow these simple steps to avoid damage and feel more confident.