In Central Texas, preparing your roof for winter may not seem as urgent as it would be in the northern states, but homeowners here do know that winter brings its own set of challenges. In Central Texas, winter includes strong winds, drastic temperature drops, ice events, and the occasional winter storm that puts a strain on the local resources. Due to the unpredictability of the weather in the region, getting your roof fortified in case winter weather events hit the calendar is a great way to protect your home. A proactive approach minimizes the hassle and helps keep your roof in good condition for years to come.

Inspect Your Roof Before Winter Weather Changes

Before winter, it is time to inspect your roof condition, and start by trying to spot any major issues without climbing on it. Look for problem areas with your roof by standing on the ground and looking for missing shingles, curled edges, lifted flashing, and any dark stains that could represent water pooling. Make sure to walk around your house looking at your roof from all sides to get a full picture. While standing on the ground can give a good idea of your roof condition, a full roof inspection is a good idea and a good practice that will almost guarantee that all issues will be caught.

Roofers can spot small issues like minor granule loss, small punctures, or deteriorating sealant missing from around the pipes and vents that homeowners will almost guarantee to miss. These small issues can mean the difference between needing a full roof replacement down the road and winterizing your roof and prolonging its life. Roofers can also remove major risks and prioritize issues that will need attention with the full inspection. Winter will come a lot faster, so these inspections will need to be done as soon as possible.


Thoroughly Clean Gutters and Downspouts

Throughout the winter season, especially, well-maintained gutters will contribute to the longevity and health of your roofing system. Clogged gutters filled with organic debris will prevent water from flowing freely. Water pockets trapped at the eaves can leak under shingles and/or cause wood rot. Unfortunately, during winter, standing water trapped in gutters can freeze and create more pressure and potential damage to the system. Clean gutters in late fall to clear debris and allow for the water to flow freely throughout winter. Once clear, use the garden hose to check if water flows easily through the downspouts. If you have persistent issues with clogs, adding gutter guards can improve overall drainage and reduce ongoing maintenance.

Trim Trees and Overhanging Branches

Many homes in Central Texas have large trees in their backyards, which can be very pleasant while providing shade in the summertime. However, overhanging branches during winter can become problematic and dangerous. Small branches can break during strong winds and fall onto roofs, damaging shingles. Larger branches can fall and do serious structural damage to the roof deck. To mitigate these problems, trim any branches that hang within six feet of the house. Keeping trees trimmed also enables more sunlight to reach the roof and helps melt any frost and/or thin layers of ice that form. If any branches are particularly large or high, consider hiring an arborist. They can trim the trees more safely and will be more likely to keep the tree healthy after trimming.


Getting on Repairs Before They Expand

Some weaknesses are only exposed in winter and are undetectable in other seasons. For example, if a slight fracture forms in shingles, it may go unnoticed. However, when cold temperatures enable moisture within it to freeze, substantial damage can occur. Also, there are small voids in the chimney or vent flashing that allow cold air and moisture to enter the attic, which can cause inefficiencies and leaks in the future. If immediate repairs are not made, small repairs can turn into large winter issues. A few simple actions can save you a lot of expensive repairs in the cold months and divisions of winter. If a lot of moisture or water is expected, it is a good idea to have a professional roofer check the flashing.

Improving Ventilation and Insulation in the Attic

The overall health of a roof is predicated on how healthy the attic is, while the opposite is also true. Ventilation is the primary way to keep a balance of temperature and moisture levels in an attic all year round. When warm, moist air in the house rises and floats into an unventilated attic, it is trapped. This moisture buildup can cause rot, a roof deck to deteriorate, and mold to grow. Heat is also retained under the roof, and, because of a lack of ventilation, heat buildup can cause premature aging of roof shingles. Worse is the winter heat.

Closing off an attic to ventilation will cause the heat to concentrate beneath the roof surface, further aggravating the premature aging of the shingles. Added and improved ventilation of attics also lifts energy costs, in addition to worsening moisture conditions in the building. So it inverts the case of insulation. Insulation is the other building element to keep warm air in the living space and reduce the likelihood of moist air forming in the attic, making the ventilation redundant. The insulation of many Texas homes is inadequate. This is because most of the year has warm weather. That said, winter brings enough cold weather to justify an improvement in insulation levels.

Check for Signs of Moisture Inside Your Home

Not all roofing problems start on the outside. Many times, the first signs are problems within the home. Water stains on ceilings, musty smells in specific areas, paint that is bubbling at the top of the wall, and mold are all signs that there may be moisture issues due to problems with the roof. These symptoms may be in the early stages, but they tell you that moisture is escaping the attic and entering the living space. If you see these signs, get a roof inspection. Moisture problems get worse over time, resulting in the need to replace expensive drywall, insulation, and wood framing. Moisture issues also harm indoor air quality and result in health problems due to mold.

Schedule Professional Maintenance Before Winter Arrives

As many weather changes and storms are on the horizon, contractors are going to be busier than usual. Getting work done before winter temps, it's best to schedule maintenance early. Roof maintenance appointments look like this: complete inspections, sealing exposed nails, securing loose shingles, clearing debris, checking roof penetrations, and evaluating flashing. This service streamlines the life of your roof, and peace of mind during the winter months is priceless. Homeowners who take maintenance into their own hands through the years experience less leakage, fewer emergency repairs, and ultimately a longer lifespan for their roof.