5 Important Winter Roof Maintenance Tips

The Portsmouth area gets an average of 55 inches of snow each year, well above the national average of 26 inches, according to BestPlaces.net.

Before any more falls, be sure you review these important roof winter maintenance tasks, courtesy of our friends at Ridgeline Exteriors:

1) Make sure your gutters, spouts and drains are clear of debris. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, hire a contractor. It's important that melting snow flows away from your roof and house. Clogged gutters can be vulnerable to ice dams, which will allow water to pool on your roof and siding.

2) Have a professional roof inspection. Once a year, a professional should assess your roof to make sure the flashing is properly sealed, the shingles aren't worn or curling and the framework itself is sound, according to The Huffington Post. It's better to catch a small problem than to allow it to develop into a bigger problem that causes more damage.

3) Make sure you have a good roof rake. You'll want to clear away 4 feet of snow from around your gutters and drains after a good snowfall, Coldwell Banker advises. (Some models are long enough that you can use them while standing on the ground.)

4) Consider whether your trees need to be trimmed. If dead branches are hanging over your roof, it's better to be proactive and have a professional remove them than it is to risk having them damage the roof during a storm, Coldwell Banker notes.

5) Check the insulation in your attic. You want to make sure the insulation is evenly distributed, according to The Huffington Post — and not just to prevent larger heating bills. Without proper insulation, heat from the house can rest under the shingles and cause ice dams on the roof.

If you need roof repairs, gutter replacements or other help with the exterior of your home, I recommend calling Ridgeline Exteriors. They are a one-stop shop, handling siding, roofs, windows and gutters. From my interactions with them, I can tell you that Ridgeline Exteriors personnel can give you a quick and easy-to-understand assessment of your home's exterior condition and explain all the options. 

Ridgeline Exteriors is a Mastic Elite Contractor and a CertainTeed Elite Contractor, which means they have reached and maintained high standards set by these trusted suppliers. 

Call 207-432-0810 to schedule your free consultation, and let a Ridgeline representative conduct a full assessment of the outside of your home. You might decide to “Ridgeline Your Home!”