Tips for Keeping the Cold Weather Outside this Winter

As winter arrives and temperatures dip, a major challenge for many homeowners is keeping their home warm and cozy without spending a fortune on heating. When it comes to keeping the cold weather out during the winter, most homeowners turn their attention to the doors and windows. This is an important place to start. But even if homeowners replacing the weather strips on the doorways and replace their
windows with more energy efficient ones, cold air might still be getting in. One area that is often overlooked is the roof. The roof is one of the most likely culprits when you’re noticing your heating costs are higher than usual. Over time, shingles wear out and begin to warp. Gaps in your shingles and/or flashing can let cold air in driving heating costs up. So if you’ve already sealed gaps in your doorways and windows, why not turn your attention to your roof?

Start with a roof inspection

If it’s been way too long since your last roof inspection, then that’s a good place to start. Have a professional roofer get up on your roof and inspect the shingles and flashing. The roofer can give you a rundown of any maintenance your roof needs to be airtight. If you opt to do the inspection yourself, make sure you take every safety precaution. Cracked, warped, or missing shingles are pretty easy to spot but you’ll have to look carefully to see if there are any gaps in the flashing. Pay close attention to the areas around the vents, chimneys, and skylights as they are the most vulnerable.

Don’t forget your rain gutters

Your rain gutter system is also important when it comes to keeping the cold out this winter. If they become clogged or if ice dams form, water can get trapped on your roof and it can freeze, forcing shingles apart making gaps for air to come through. It’s a good idea to make sure your rain gutters are free from debris. If you have problems in the winter with ice dams, improve the insulation in your attic space to avoid that problem this year.

Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com
Source: torontosun.com/2015/11/26/keep-­the­-chill-­out-­this­-winter