Winters in New England are famously harsh, capturing news headlines across the country every year. When all that built-up ice and snow starts to melt away, it puts a lot of strains on your home's gutters and other parts of your drainage system. Gutters play a key role in guiding melted snow and ice away from your home and preventing water damage. But if your gutters are going to go through so much strain this winter, how can you protect them and maximize their efficiency? It comes down to regular inspections, routine maintenance, and addressing urgent concerns as quickly as possible.
Potential Winter Damage
Gutters can take a beating during New Hampshire's long winter months—as can the rest of your roofing. Ice dams tend to form when snow melts and then refreezes at the edge of the roof. This dam keeps melting snow from draining properly. As the weight of the snow builds up, it can seep into your shingles and cause water damage inside your home. Heavy snow accumulation puts a massive amount of weight on your roof, straining its components and driving up the risk of damage. Gutters are at heightened risk, as snow can pile up in them and cause them to sag. Over time, gutters may even begin to pull away from the roof, rendering them useless.
You also can't forget New Hampshire's record cold temperatures. Freezing temperatures can weaken gutter materials, making them prone to breaks and cracks. If you don't notice this damage early, your whole roof could suffer for it. Knowing what to expect from a New England winter can help you take necessary steps to protect your gutters.
Pre-Winter Preparation
As the cold months get closer, you can prepare your roof for the harsh weather to come. Do a visual inspection of your roof and gutters, and if you want to be really prepared, get a roofing expert out to do a full inspection. Look for missing shingles, rust or corrosion in your gutters, and debris that may keep your gutters from draining properly. Don't forget to check that your downspouts are clear and pointed away from your home. Consider the benefits of gutter guards that may keep debris out. As you get used to this routine each winter, you'll save your gutters significant wear and tear, extending their lifespan and getting the most for your money.
Gutter Guards
Roofing experts often recommend gutter guards to further protect your gutters from debris buildup. There are various types you can explore, giving you options to suit different budgets and preferences. Mesh screens, foam inserts, and reverse curves work to keep leaves, twigs, and other clutter out of your gutters without negatively impacting the flow of water through them. This protects your gutters from blockages and buildup that can lead to leaks within your home.
As an added benefit, gutter guards make maintenance much easier. When you have properly installed gutter guards, cleaning them out is much easier and takes less time. Using guards can extend your gutters' lifespan by saving it from the wear and tear of debris buildup. Although these add-ons can be useful year-round, they are particularly helpful leading up to the winter months.
Ongoing Maintenance During Winter
Once you have your roof and gutters set up for success during a New England winter, it's still important to stay on top of their maintenance needs and respond to any emergency situations. After your area experiences a snowstorm, ice buildup, or heavy winds, take the time to check your gutters for twigs and debris. With gutter guards, this process should take much less time. Check your downspouts, ensure that they are clear, and verify that they are properly channeling water away from your home.
If you notice that maintenance is taking longer and longer as the winter goes on, it's possible that you have damaged roofing components causing more significant issues. That's why you should also use this maintenance time to look for visible damage. Obvious damaged or missing components are often the first warning sign that something more serious is going wrong.
The Benefits of Professional Assistance
There's a lot you can do to prepare your roof for the winter and keep it working efficiently throughout the season. Still, there are situations that warrant bringing in a roofing company. If your roof suffers massive damage in a snowstorm or you are unable to properly clear out your gutters and downspout, you may have more extensive maintenance needs. This is especially true if your roof has lingering damage from previous New England winters that has not yet been repaired.
You should absolutely call a roofing expert as soon as possible if you notice leaking in your home, either from the ceiling or near the foundation. In both cases, your roof may be to blame. When gutters fail, water may run off the roof directly to the ground, seeping into your foundation and causing serious damage. If snow buildup higher on the roof is not cleared away, leaks can damage your ceilings.
Remember, small, inexpensive fixes can quickly become huge, expensive repairs if they aren't handled in a timely manner.
If you need a winter roof inspection, urgent repairs, or just
some professional advice, Master Roofers is here for you. Call us at
603-825-4856 or fill out our contact form to set up an inspection
or repair.