Roofing Tips for Every Season

Living in Alberta, you most likely have experienced intense snow and rainstorms. To protect yourself from this weather, you want to make sure you have a solid roof over your head. Keeping up-to-date on inspections and roof maintenance is important throughout the year. You can avoid leaks, missing shingles, and interior damage with regular roof upkeep.

Read the following blog to see a few ways you can maintain your roof throughout the year.

Winter

Winter in Canada varies by location. In Alberta, dry, cold and frosty temperatures are common. January is the coldest month in this part of Canada. The temperatures are -7°C with a cold wind chill. The snowfall is light but frequent, starting in October and continuing into April.

To protect your roof from this cold chill, you should make sure your attic has proper insulation. This will help keep your home warmer in the cold months and cooler in the warm months. It will also help protect your roof from damage. You should use at least one layer of insulation on the floor of the attic. Make sure there are no gaps for air to travel through between the insulation and your home.

Insulation will stop major temperature changes that may cause damage to your roof. If you fail to insulate properly, for example, water condensation may accumulate on the underside of your roof and ruin your ceiling. Additionally, your chances of ice dams on the roof increase.

In addition to properly insulating, you can prevent ice build-up by removing snow as soon as possible after a snowstorm. This will stop water from entering your home through unforeseen leaks. Avoid prying off ice, as this may damage the shingles. Instead, use a roof rake while standing on the ground. Remove any snow that is within a metre of the gutter. To avoid having snow fall on you, push snow off the roof at an angle.

You may not have to worry about snow on your roof because of Chinook winds. These winds remove snow but may cause other damages to your roof. After major windstorms (or if you hear sounds from your roof during windy weather), look for loose, missing, or curling shingles. If you find or suspect damage, call a roofing professional as soon as you can. Damage left untreated may turn into a pricey fix.

Spring

After months of cold chills, spring brings warmth around late March. Harsh frost and snow melt away, and plants and trees begin to grow again. In April, temperatures rise up to 12°C. Every now and then, the province may see late snowfall, but generally, the weather warms to comfortable temperatures.

While you enjoy the warmer weather, consider trimming back trees that may come in contact with your roof. Trees allow squirrels and rodents to get on your roof and gnaw through shingles and siding. If you can't trim your tree, consider wrapping the tree trunk with sheet metal to stop rodents from climbing it. You can also hire a professional to trim tree branches at least three metres away from your roof.

Summer

Although the weather is warm in summer, Alberta still experiences intense rainstorms. In fact, July is the rainiest month of the year. Thunderstorms, showers, and windy weather are all common in the summer. Still, temperatures normally reach 25°C in July and August.

Before the rainy season, consider installing ventilation throughout your attic. Much like insulation, ventilation will help prevent damage due to water condensation. To improve ventilation in your attic, remove objects that block your vents. Additionally, you can use attic fans to keep this area dry.

After rainstorms, you may notice moss growing on your roof. This can cause damage if left untreated. Moss may begin to grow under shingles and separate from the roof. It also causes pitting in shingles. You can use chemicals like Wet & Forget after the first signs of growth to prevent reoccurrence.

For more Calgary roof repair, call Century Roofing at 403-235-5457.

Autumn

Between September and early November, the temperature gradually becomes cooler. Daytime temperatures drop to 11°C, and occasional snowfall occurs. During this season, leaves begin to change to autumn colours and eventually fall to the ground.

Although falling leaves can create beautiful scenery, they may also pose a threat to your roof. Leaves often gather in the eavestroughs that run along your home. If you fail to remove them, these leaves can begin to rot your roof sheathing or rafters. Damage from rot may cost you thousands of dollars.

You can prevent this by ridding your eavestroughs of fallen leaves. For larger homes, consider hiring Century Roofing in Calgary to clear them.

Over time, your roof will experience some degree of wear and tear. The key to preventing serious damage is finding and fixing small problems early. Schedule an annual inspection with your Calgary roofer. They will look for signs of lifted or damaged shingles, moss growth, and other potential hazards.