Another West Virginia summer in the books and your roof has not been put through its paces? Then you may be wondering what the shingles, some of them well past their prime, will make of the winter storms ahead. Before the hard freeze is upon you, do you know what to have an eye on?
Those are the kind of questions we hear, so come on in. We at Elite Roofing have been with West Virginia homeowners since 2015 and would like to put our experience to work for you in preparing a roof for the cold. For any of this, (304) 758-9992 is our number.
There is no better time than fall to turn your attention to the roof. The weather is cooperative, the leaves are falling and there is still opportunity to put right the minor issues before they become major ones. You would be surprised how many a homeowner puts it off until he sees water in the ceiling; the repair bill tends to be steeper then.
Why it is important in West Virginia
We get our share of conditions here in the state: the ice and snow of a mountain winter, heavy rain and the freeze-thaw that goes with it. Water will seep into the tiniest crack, expand as it freezes and work its way in. Ignore the small stuff and a roof in good shape one October can be leaking by January.
A modicum of effort now is worth the stress it spares you later. To begin with:
Clean Out the Gutters
In the fall, clogged gutters are the usual source of water damage. Piles of leaves and debris cause water to back up along the fascia and under the shingles, inviting rot and leaks, and down the line even trouble with the foundation. Do not let winter get established before you:
- Clear the channels of twigs, leaves and other detritus
- Run water through the gutters to see if they are draining as they should
- Verify the downspouts are putting distance between the water and the foundation
- Put in an appearance for any sagging or fasteners that have come loose
- Patch up holes or rust where you find them
- See to it that your gutter guards are up to the task
An Inspection of Your Shingles
They are what stands between your home and whatever comes from the sky. Get on a good ladder and you will spot any that are buckled, cracked or missing. Granules in the gutters tell you the shingles are wearing out.
As an Owens Corning Platinum Contractor, the top tier in their system, we have these materials down pat. Should you see something and be in doubt as to the extent of it, do not put stock in your own assessment. Let us have a look.
Flashing and Seals
The metal flashing around a chimney, vent or skylight is there to seal the joint and it is where one is apt to find a leak. A storm will put these to the test and a little failure can admit a lot of water. Check for any dried out or cracked sealant, rust or gaps.
Put in some pruning
Overhanging branches are a nuisance; they scratch the shingles and shed leaves. In an ice storm they can break. Trim them back and you will spare yourself the damage and the clean up in the gutters.
Do not forget to check inside
You will not see all of it from the outside. On a day when it is dry, go up to the attic and be on the lookout for:
- Stains on the wood or insulation
- Any daylight showing through the boards
- A mustiness in the air
- Decking that has given way
- Pests that have made their way in
Leave it to the pros
One can do some of this oneself but there is risk in being on a roof and we have the training to notice what a homeowner does not. An inspection is money well spent for peace of mind.
Elite Roofing is fully licensed and insured and we stand behind a 100 per cent satisfaction guarantee. We are here 24/7 and can help with financing or an insurance claim, and provide a free estimate. Siding, generators, gutters, we do more than just roofing.
Make a call to us at (304) 758-9992. There is no need for a winter leak to be your reminder; let us see to it you have a roof to rely on when the cold sets in.
