Winter has finally arrived on the west coast. And on the west coast we often forget the power winter can have on our roofs after a large dump of snow. But water and moisture have a way of getting into all the nooks and crannies we don’t normally think about, and when it freezes, bigger problems may suddenly arise that we aren’t aware of until everything has melted away. This why regular roof maintenance is so important. It may be easy to spot mold and leaks during the rest of the year, but it’s possible you may miss some of these signs.
The Presence of Wild Animals
Many people think that all the birds have flown south for the winter, but this actually isn’t the case and many birds continue to hang around through winter, especially out on the west coast. And if there’s a bird feeder nearby, you’ll find that even more birds will tend to hang around. But it’s during the warmer months of the year when they turn your gutters, roof and attic into little nesting places, which may leave some damage behind. And if left unchecked, could turn into a refuge for large wild animals like squirrels and raccoons during the colder months. There could be a hole or a gap left somewhere which has allowed the little critters to seek shelter from the elements. So if you hear some suspicious noise, it’s possible you may have some guests seeking refuge from the winter, and if not taken care of, may cause more unseen damage in your walls and to your wiring.
Strange Noises or Airflow
Freezing moisture expanding in unknown cracks and crevasses along with the freeze/thaw of the weather can lead to a lot of strange noises around the house as it shifts. You may even begin to notice some cooler airflow or odd whistling sounds as the warm air escapes your home and the cold air comes in. Now is the time to try and patch up anything you can.
Warping Shingles
As we all know, nothing is built to last. Not even in nature. It’s common that we often forget to inspect the shingles on our roofs. Harsh weather can cause shingles to crack, come loose or even fly off the roof. And while missing shingles are easier to spot, it’s harder to identify the ones which are warping or buckling unless you get up close and inspect them. Once the weather clears up from winter, or even after a terrible storm, it’s always important to do a thorough inspection of your shingles and handle any repairs straight away.
Loose Nails
We often forget just how many nails there are around the exterior of our homes which help to anchor the gutters, fascia, soffits, and roof flashing, all doing their part to help protect your home from damage. Nails can also hold siding in place. Harsher weather conditions can put a lot of stress on a home and the various parts of the exterior of a home causing things to come loose or dislodged and exposing nails. Over time these nails can fall off the roof and into the gutters, your lawn, or even embed themselves into your siding. Not to mention how dangerous an exposed nail can be when you’re performing home maintenance, or running around your yard in bare feet during the summer.
A helpful hint, keep a checklist of important areas around the home which will need regular inspection and maintenance so that you don’t forget. Don’t leave it all to the last minute, spread it out during the year and you’ll find that it’s much easier to take care and will require less of your time.