Posted on Dec. 15th, 2015
With the winter now here you want to protect your home from the elements. The temperature can drop quite low so you need to be prepared. You need a good plan so you reduce maintenance costs, yet it fits in with your budget. Here’s how you can protect your Massachusetts real estate from the elements.
Unclog the Rain Gutters
You want to ensure that the rain gutters remain unclogged. If they are clogged, ice can build up and you’ll receive damage. If water can freeze then the gutter may start to pull away from your roof which will end up costing you a lot in repairs. Use a hammer to remove ice from the gutters when you find it, just be careful as you do this. If you don’t know how, there’s roofing contractors you can call which can help you out. Never do a repair if you don’t have the skills for it as you can damage the gutters.
The Roofs Drains Spout Has to be Clear
The openings around your drain spouts has to be clear. You have to remove obstacles and debris so the water can run feely. This allows the snow and ice to melt freely so it runs away from the home. It won’t accumulate and cause you more problems.
Debris Removal from the Roof
If you get a lot of snow on the roof during a storm, you need to remove this. Snow is heavy and it can weigh on the roof, cause damage and even collapse an older roof due to the weight. A plastic shovel or a roof rake is ideal as this won’t damage the roof when you remove the snow. You should remove branches and debris so they don’t punch holes in the roof. If you have animal droppings on the roof such as from birds, then remove this as it can case mold to form. If you have a roof that’s already damaged, call a contractor and get repairs done.
Prune The Overhanging Branches
Trees look great, but overhanging branches can impact the roof. They have ice and snow attached to them and this can break off a branch which may damage your roof. The overhanging branch may just scratch the shingles which can cause a repair bill due to holes of even water getting into the home. You should ensure that overhanging branches are pruned back away from the home.
Check the Attic Insulation
Gaps in the coverage of insulation in the attic can impact the roof. One way to tell this is to look for area sof the roof where snow melts faster than other areas of the roof. This may mean you need more insulation in the roof so call a contractor to help you.