4 Ways to Prepare Your Flat Roof for the Winter
4 Ways to Prepare Your Flat Roof for the Winter
Seasons change, and winter is bound to come sometime during the year. In Ottawa, you can always expect the winter to start towards the end of December and last all the way to mid-March. While winter can be a fun time, with all the snowmen and skiing, it can also get very cold and windy. It is not uncommon to see blankets of snow everywhere, from the streets to the driveway and even on your flat roof.
With a pile of snow on your roof, among other things, your roof can get stressed. And when the snow begins to melt, it can lead to pooling and leakages. Winter is a trying time for flat roofs, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything about it. You can prepare your flat roof for the winter.
By how does one do that? Here are four ways, read all for specific instruction on flat roof maintenance.
1. Inspect your flat roof
Before winter comes, it is a good idea to get the roof inspected to uncover any existing or potential problems. That way, you can take the necessary actions to fortify the roof in preparation for the winter. For instance, an inspection can reveal some cracks in the caulking, allowing you to seal them up to prevent them from getting bigger. Get your roof repaired and sealed, this will make sure ice and water doesn't enter into the cracks and create larger holes. The winter can really damage the roof while melting and re freezing.
2. Clear debris
As time goes by, things that don’t belong on your roof will accumulate on top of it. These things include leaves, branches, trash, toys and even dead animals. These things can cause a multitude of problems; including preventing adequate drainage, leading to pooling and leakage. That is why you must make sure that your flat roof is cleared of all debris, especially the gutters.
3. Clear the surrounding area
If your flat roof has some tree limbs near it, you might want to trim them before the winter comes. As mentioned earlier, winters in Ottawa and can get windy – not to mention that winter storms can happen. The last thing you want is for one of those limbs to break off and end up on your roof. They can pile up into debris and even cause damage upon impact.
4. Prepare an emergency plan
What do you do during a roofing emergency in the winter? You need to have a plan of action, which details what steps you should take if the winter causes damage to your roof. That way, you don’t panic, as you need to act fast before the problem gets worse. So keep your roofing contractor’s information somewhere easy to reach in case you need it pronto. You should also have a copy of your warranty and insurance handy as well.
Preparing your flat roof for winter may seem like a cumbersome task, but it is a necessary one. Winter in Ottawa should not be taken lightly. If you do not adequately prepare, your roof may end up paying the price for things that could have been easily prevented. Let Wolfenburg Flat Roof Ottawa come in and give your flat roof a winter inspection and make it ready. You can call us on 613-800-9058 or email us at info@wolfenburginc.com.