Is your home ready for winter?
With September already here, the temperature has dropped (even more than the abysmal August temperatures) and very shortly the leaves will start changing colour. Whilst providing an exciting run up to Christmas, it could be an expensive end to the year if you’re not careful. We don’t need to tell you that a small leak can turn into something major in no time, if you’re reading this you probably know all that, however there are some more important tips and tricks that you can do to help make sure your home is ready for whatever the winter weather throws at it.
Clean out your gutters
Whilst not the most important issue in the summer months, as the leaves start to fall off the trees its incredibly important to keep your gutters cleared in order to prevent leaks. You see, your gutters are designed to provide a route for excess water to run off the roof, but when your gutters become cluttered 🙂 the water cannot follow its usual exit. Rotting and mould comes about when the water finds another exit (see our last post). Your felt can rot from the bottom up rendering your secondary barrier useless and soon after this your battens and rafters will be in the firing line. Clogged gutters can also lead to water overflowing, penetrating the exterior walls around the perimeter of your home, obvious signs of this are when your inner walls can start to show signs of mould and damp. Stay safe and clean your gutters out at least twice a year, try using a leaf blower or a garden hose for a quick and easy job.
Careful not to ignore your surrounding areas
With the aftermath of hurricane Dorian hitting the headlines, we don’t need to remind you about the extent of damage adverse weather conditions can cause. You want to take a look at the trees surrounding your property and in some cases it might be safest to have them cut down .
Make sure you hire a reputable tree surgeon or this could happen..
You may even find that loose branches are the culprit for your missing or loose tiles so it’s definitely worth taking a good look.
Admittedly, there’s not much you can do about surrounding buildings but its good to be aware that they have the potential for snow to drift onto your roof, which can in some cases cause severe leaks if left on your roof.
Brave the attic
For many, the attic is spider-ridden storage space that is only ever ventured into when you need something out of the ordinary, however it might be worth peeking up to the rafters or even just a shine of a torch to check everything’s A. OK. Make sure your insulation is evenly distributed and vents aren’t blocked near the edges of the attic. Insulation is crucial for keeping your house nice and toasty and if this summer’s weather is anything to go by, we might be in for a chilly winter.
Schedule a roof inspection
If you’re at all worried about the state of your roof or perhaps you’re waiting for that day of torrential rainfall to expose what needs fixing, call us out for a free roof inspection to keep your mind at rest. If you can’t check everything off this list, remember that it’s important to work with any issues before the weather gets bad as when heavy snow and ice hits, minor damage can turn into major damage in a flash. What’s more, it’s harder for roofers to work safely in the winter, meaning that if you want your work done in a shorter amount of time, take action now.
See our previous blog for more information detailing how the change in seasons can cause all sorts of mould and damp and the ways in which this can be prevented.