Weather can be unforgiving to your roof. However, there is a lot you can do to keep a roof in excellent shape, making it resilient against harsh weather conditions. Weatherproofing is a popular technique to squeeze more life out of your roof.
But how do you go about it? Below we will share some of the best ways to weatherproof your roof.
1. Clean the gutters
Gutters require little maintenance, but it’s easy for homeowners to forget about cleaning them. Clearing dirt and debris from the gutters and downspouts will keep the system functioning well. It is best to clean gutters every six months, preferable in early spring or early fall.
If rainwater is not effectively channeled to the appropriate areas away from your home, it can damage basements and foundations. When water overflows, it can also end up running onto the fascia board, increasing the risk of rotting.
2. Install gutter guards
A gutter guard, also known as a gutter screen or helmet, is worth the investment, especially if several trees surround your house. It covers the gutters, preventing leaves and large debris from entering the gutter system. Wind will blow most of the litter off the roof. Even if this wasn’t the case, clearing that debris with a stiff bristle broom is easy, and you can complete the task within a short time.
3. Prune trees
Dropping leaves and debris is not the only inconvenience trees create. If branches are hanging over the roof, pruning them is one of the best ways to weatherproof your roof. That is because the heavy branches can fall on the roof if high winds or a storm hits the city.
Consequently, they can damage the metal sheets or asphalt shingles. Don’t underestimate lighter branches, as they can dent or scratch the roof surface, making it unsightly.
4. Install roof deicing cables
Ice dams are bad news. They can tear off gutters, clog the roof system, and loosen shingles. In the worst case, water can leak into your house.
If your roof is prone to ice dams, you can protect yourself against this problem using deicing cables. These self-regulating wires warm up the ice, melting it.
The melted ice and snow will flow freely into the gutters and away from your house.
5. Ventilate and insulate the attic
Some homeowners weatherproofing their roofs often overlook the attic insulation and ventilation aspect.
Without proper ventilation and insulation, excess hot air in your home can escape through the roof. If this happens when snow is covering the roof, ice can form and lead to the issues we have mentioned above.
In another scenario, heat can be trapped in your home when temperatures soar into the high ranges. Shingles can become baked from below, especially if you store items in the attic.
Creating sufficient ventilation and installing high-quality insulation in your attic can help you save on heating and cooling costs.
6. Use a seam tape
If you are trying to weatherproof a concrete roof, the seam tape can create the waterproof seal you need. It can help keep the moisture out of your building, preventing several issues.
Some types of waterproofing seam tapes can apply to metal, wood, and fiberglass roofing materials. The tape properties can allow it to conform to curves if necessary.
But we recommend consulting with a trusted roofing company before you purchase and apply it to your roof.
7. Troubleshoot the roof
After a storm, make an effort to inspect your roof thoroughly for damage. You will want to ensure there are no loose, missing, curled, or cracked shingles. Otherwise, replace them as soon as possible.
Leaving gaps in the shingles exposes the underlayment to wind and sun. Unfortunately, this deteriorates the roof quickly.
8. Waterproof under shingles
If you are building a new roof or replacing an old one, use a reliable waterproof material between the rafters and shingles.
Some solid materials for waterproofing under shingles are thermoplastic polyolefin, breathable TPO membranes, tar paper, and roofing felt.
Most of these ways to weatherproof your roof are DIY-friendly. In some cases, you may need to work with knowledgeable roofing experts. This is almost always the best course of action to avoid committing mistakes that could prove expensive to fix.