5 Ways to Protect Your Home’s Roof from Falling Trees This Winter
This winter, ice storms are likely to cause a lot of dangerous damage as they fall from the sky. But what about trees? Many homeowners don’t think much about their trees until there’s a problem, but it could be time for some tree pruning if you want your house to remain standing during this year’s ice storms.
There are five ways you can protect your roof from the weight of a fallen tree:
1) Get rid of any dead wood in your yard –
If there’s a branch creating an unsightly mess on your lawn or porch, now is the time to cut them away. Not only will removing dead limbs lower the load on your roof but it could also future problems with pests and disease.
2) Trim trees around your house –
Trees can be pruned in order to make sure weight is distributed evenly. This means that the branches resting on your roof will not cause damage when they fall later, especially if you prune them during winter or early spring before new growth has started. If possible, keep a few feet of clearance between your home and any large branches just in case a powerful ice storm creates dangerous conditions.
3) Use cables and braces to secure the tree from falling –
If you have one or several trees near your house that might pose a threat, consider using a stabilizing system such as cables and braces to increase support. These systems should also help protect against decay, which makes it easier for a branch to break and fall. When you use cables and braces, make sure the system is inspected every year by a professional arborist.
4) Ask an expert about removing or trimming trees –
If there are several large trees surrounding your home that will not be manageable to take care of yourself, it may be time to call in some professionals before one of those trees ends up on your roof during an ice storm this winter. It’s also important you understand that if you remove a tree from your property, the value of your home could decrease. However, some cities do offer incentives you can use so check with local authorities and ask around for recommendations before making any final plans.
5) Talk to someone about protecting your chimney –
It’s not just tree branches that can fall during winter ice storms. You also need to pay attention to your chimney. Which could pose serious danger if the surrounding trees are seriously damaged. Have a professional inspect your chimney and address any problems before they get out of hand.
If you want to keep the roof on your home this winter, take care of these things early in the year before it becomes too late!
FAQs:
Q: What is the best way to prevent ice dams caused by roof leaks?
A: You can either use insulation or rubber boots to fill in those gaps. Make sure there’s enough space between the top of the boot and the shingles so that water can flow off properly.
Q: What if I want to revive my old asphalt shingle roof?
A: If your shingles are weather and crack. You should repair them as soon as possible before they become a hazard during the winter months. Shingles often curl because moisture got underneath them. Which means it may be time for a replacement. In addition, make sure your attic is well ventilate with plenty of insulation. To keep cold air from seeping through.
Q: What if my roof is flat?
A: Flat roofs can also ice up and overflow during severe cold due to the lack of insulation. One way you can prevent this is by installing a secondary layer of waterproof material such as rubber or plastic so that moisture doesn’t seep through. The problem with flat roofs is they don’t have enough pitch to let snow and rain runoff, so be sure to use plenty of roof snow guards in order to keep water from collecting on your roof after it melts.
Conclusion:
If you want to make sure your roof doesn’t ice over during the next winter storm, do something about it before the weather gets bad. Remember, even small things like trimming trees and making minor repairs can go a long way in protecting your home this winter!