We don’t have to tell you how debilitating an Illinois winter can be.
Illinois has a long history of damaging winter weather, so it’s important to be prepared before the snow and ice start to hit. Your roof is the first line of defense your home or business has against rain, ice, hail, and wind, so it takes a beating all year round.
If you’re going to protect your home or business, you have to look after your roof. A big part of winter roof maintenance is a winter roofing check by a trained professional. In this post, we’re going to tell you why these checks are so important and how to find a roofing contractor that can get the job done.
In a matter of minutes, a roofing contractor will be able to spot any potential issues your roof may face this winter. Keep reading and find out how these checks will benefit you and your property moving forward.
Summer and Fall Can Be Tough On a Roof
Summer and fall might seem like relatively calm months in terms of weather, but they can be tough on your roof. During summer, you’re experiencing dry conditions a lot of the time, which can wear out shingles and them vulnerable to cracks and other damage.
Summer storms and fall precipitation will do even more damage. When you’ve got wind and rain pounding your roof, you can end up with all sorts of damage, from missing shingles to mold and algae growing on the roof.
These things present major problems when winter rolls around and there’s suddenly an abundance of cold and moisture. A pre-winter inspection will identify obvious damage and give you time to perform winter roof maintenance before it gets cold.
Find Hidden Issues
Most homeowners neglect regular roof inspections, which is how little issues become big ones. Hire a professional roofing contractor to look at your roof this year and they’ll identify those hidden issues that become debilitating ones down the road.
Aging shingles, hidden debris, and vegetation can all be tricky to detect with an untrained eye. They cause damage all the same, so it’s important to have these things dealt with quickly and before it’s dangerous to get on the roof in the winter.
Small Problems Can Become Big Ones During Winter
Obviously, the longer roofing problems go undetected, the worse they become. When little problems are left to fester over a harsh winter, however, you could end up with serious issues.
Cold weather tends to make roofing materials more difficult to deal with. In particular, shingles can become brittle, so if you’ve got shingle problems now, they’re going to get worse in the winter.
Prevent Winter Damage
There are various winter-specific roofing issues that you’ll likely encounter if you fail to get an inspection. In Illinois, ice dams are a common occurrence, which can lead to a variety of problems when spring rolls around. An inspection can detect ventilation issues in your roof that could potentially lead to ice dams.
They occur when the high parts of your roof become warmer than the lower parts, usually when the sun is shining directly on your roof. The snow and ice in the warmer parts melt and flow down the roof. As soon as it reaches the colder parts, the water refreezes.
Over time, this keeps happening and forms a large ridge of ice. Ice dams can be dangerous because they can damage your eavestroughs, block vents, and put unnecessary strain on the structure of your roof. If too much weight is on your roof, it could even start to warp and cave in.
Roof Care Saves Money
Post-winter roofing damage may require moderate to extensive roof repair, depending on the extent of the issues. If you really want to save money, the best thing to do is to have your roof inspected on a regular basis, especially before and after winter.
When you start talking about emergency roof maintenance, that’s when the big bucks start to come into play. Inspections are cheap and allow you to identify problems so you can deal with them before they become emergencies.
Fall Is the Best Time for Roof Repair
Most homeowners associate summer with being good for roofing work, but fall is the best time for it. Summer can be tricky just because of the heat and rain. Fall temperatures are in the 40s and 50s, which makes for perfect conditions for a roofing inspection.
Doing an inspection in mid-to-late fall will allow you to catch any problems that wind and falling branches may have caused. With the inspection done early, you’ll also have time to make any repairs before winter weather comes into play.
Reducing Winter Bills
A properly shingled and insulated roof is going to keep the heat in your home during the winter months. As an Illinois resident, you always prepare for your utility bills to go up in the winter, but they’ll skyrocket if you’re hemorrhaging heat through your attic.
This also puts unnecessary strain on your HVAC system, since it’ll have to work harder to heat your home. In the long run, you’ll shorten the lifespan of your furnace, which isn’t exactly cheap to replace either.
Peace of Mind All Winter Long
It might not be a practical benefit, but one of the most important perks of getting this timely roofing inspection is the peace of mind that you’ll get. There’s nothing worse than realizing that you should’ve gotten the roof inspected when you can’t do anything about it.
Get it professionally inspected now and any issues your roof has will be addressed by someone that knows what to look for. Once it’s completed, you’ll be able to sit back and relax in your warm, cozy home, all winter long.
Get the Best Professional Winter Roofing Inspection in Effingham
Now that you know why you should get a professional winter roofing inspection before winter, it’s time to tell you how to do it. At Mid-State Roofing, we specialize in residential and commercial roofing in and around Effingham, IL.
Our experience and expertise have made us the best roofing inspection, repair, and installation service in the area. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and give your roof the care it needs before winter comes.