Protecting Your Shingles In The Harsh Winter

Unless you want to spend most of your spring repairing your roof, it's important to protect your shingles before the harsh winter months come a-calling. Assuming you don't live in a tropical area such as Florida or Southern California, chances are you're going to experience some difficult weather conditions once winter is upon you. Some of these conditions can be every bit as tough on your roof as a major thunderstorm. Tearing and breakage can lead to leaks and the loss of structural integrity. If; however, you prepare properly, you may be able to avoid the worst of it, saving yourself time and money in the process. Here are some things you can do.

First of all, the best possible way to protect your shingles from the damaging weather conditions of winter is to make sure you have a strong roof to begin with. That means hiring a good contractor who won't go the cheapest possible route when building your roof. This goes for you as well, of course. Don't choose the cheapest materials or methods when it comes time to shop for this stuff. You want a roof that will last you a long time. If you live in an area where you are going to be subjected to ice and snow from November to March, you'll want to make sure you pay for work and material that can withstand it.

One thing you can ensure is included in your roof is an ice and water shield. This is a layer of protection that goes over your sheathing and can be an enormous help when it comes to protecting your roof from damage. Yes, it will be a little expensive when compared to going without, but if it prevents just one incidence of roof repair, it will have paid for itself. It will protect your roof not only from ice storms, but from snowmelt and heavy rainfall as well. Find a good roofing contractor that knows about such shields and can place a layer of it between the sheathing and the shingles.

Of course, having properly installed gutters will help a lot when it comes to protecting your shingles. These gutters should do the dirty work of sending water running off your home. If your roof has been wisely constructed, the natural slant should send this water running off into the gutters, where it can then be deposited into your yard. Keep those gutters clean. Make it a point to do a thorough cleaning in the fall so you don't have to worry about clogs when winter rolls around. Water and snow that simply sits on top of your house can do damage after some time. You won't want to get on top of your roof when it's freezing outside.