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Winter

Fall Roof Care in Central Oregon

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Proper roof care before winter is essential to prevent potential damage from snow, ice, and cold weather. Here are steps you can take to prepare your roof for winter:

1. Inspect the Roof

  • Check for Damage: Look for cracked, missing, or loose shingles. Replace damaged shingles to prevent leaks.
  • Examine Flashing: Ensure that the flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights is in good condition. Flashing seals these joints and can prevent water infiltration.
  • Look for Leaks: Inspect your attic for any signs of water stains, mold, or mildew, which can indicate a leak.

2. Clean the Gutters

  • Remove Debris: Clear leaves, sticks, and other debris from gutters to ensure proper drainage. Clogged gutters can cause ice dams, which may lead to water damage.
  • Check Downspouts: Make sure downspouts are clear and direct water away from the foundation of your home.

3. Trim Overhanging Branches

  • Prevent Debris: Trimming back branches can reduce the amount of leaves and twigs that fall on your roof, reducing the likelihood of clogged gutters.
  • Prevent Damage: Overhanging branches can break under heavy snow or ice, potentially damaging the roof.

4. Check for Proper Ventilation

  • Inspect Attic Ventilation: Proper attic ventilation prevents moisture buildup and reduces the risk of ice dams. Ensure vents are not blocked by insulation or debris.

5. Insulate the Attic

  • Add Insulation: Adequate insulation in your attic helps regulate temperature and prevents heat from escaping, reducing the likelihood of ice dams forming on your roof.

6. Repair Any Existing Leaks

  • Fix Leaks Promptly: If you notice any leaks or signs of water damage, repair them immediately before snow and ice accumulate.

7. Consider Installing Snow Guards

  • Snow Guards or Heating Cables: In areas prone to heavy snow, snow guards can help prevent snow from sliding off the roof, while heating cables can prevent ice dams from forming.

8. Schedule a Professional Inspection

  • Hire a Roofer: A professional can identify any issues that may be difficult for you to spot and ensure the roof is in good shape to handle winter weather.

9. Clean Moss and Algae

  • Remove Growth: Moss or algae can retain moisture, leading to roof damage. Use a moss-killing solution or hire a professional to clean it.

10. Check for Pests

  • Inspect for Animals: Ensure there are no signs of animals trying to nest or burrow in your roof or attic, as they can cause structural damage.

Taking these preventive measures will help protect your roof from winter weather and extend its lifespan.

Metal Roofing Advantages for Central Oregon

Metal roofing offers several advantages, making it a popular choice for residential and commercial buildings. Northwest Quality Roofing actually manufacturers the metal panels right on site. We have our own standing Seam metal-roofing-rollformer machine. This makes our metal installs much more efficient. We can run panels to exact sizes with no constriction on length. We also manufacture all of our own custom flashings in-house with our computerized brake.

Ten Advantages of Metal Roofing for homes in Bend and Central Oregon:

1. Durability: Metal roofs are known for their longevity and durability. They can withstand harsh weather conditions, including heavy rain, snow, hail, and high winds. Metal roofing materials are resistant to cracking, warping, and other common issues associated with traditional roofing materials. A perfect material for Central Oregon.

2. Longevity: Metal roofs have a longer lifespan compared to many other roofing materials. With proper maintenance, a metal roof can last 50 years or more, which may make having to replace your roof unnecessary.

3. Energy Efficiency: Metal roofs are reflective and often coated with reflective pigments, helping to reflect the sun’s rays and reduce heat absorption. This can result in lower energy bills by keeping the building cooler in hot weather. Metal roofing may help to reduce your summer energy bills.

4. Lightweight: Metal roofing materials are typically lightweight compared to other roofing materials like concrete tiles or slate. This can reduce the overall load on the structure and may eliminate the need for additional structural support.

5. Resistant to Fire: Metal is non-combustible, making metal roofs resistant to fire. This can be a crucial advantage in areas prone to wildfires. This may be a critical advantage for homes in Central Oregon.

6. Low Maintenance: Metal roofs require minimal maintenance compared to other roofing materials. They are less susceptible to issues such as rotting, mold, and insect damage.

7. Recyclability: Metal roofing materials are often made from recycled metal, and they are fully recyclable at the end of their lifespan. This makes metal roofing an environmentally friendly option.

8. Aesthetic Variety: Metal roofs come in a variety of styles, colors, and finishes, providing homeowners and builders with design flexibility to match the architectural style of the building.

9. Weather Resistance: Metal roofing is highly resistant to weather elements, including snow, ice, and heavy rain. This resistance helps prevent water leakage and damage to the structure. You need not worry about winter ice dams with a metal roof.

10. Increased Property Value: The durability, longevity, and energy efficiency of metal roofing can contribute to an increase in the overall property value.

While metal roofing has numerous advantages, it’s essential to consider factors such as upfront cost, installation complexity, and regional climate conditions when deciding on the best roofing material for a specific project.

Prepare your roof for Oregon Winters

Clearin gutters

Fall is the time to prepare your roof for the winter season. Basic roof maintenance is easy and taking the proper steps will enhance your roof and help to extend its life. Between now and the first snow or freeze is the time to prepare your roof for the coming winter season

Clean The Gutters

Leaves and debris collect in your gutter system during the fall season and they can create a clog in the downspouts. Rain water can overflow the gutters, damaging your roof, trim and siding. In addition, the added weight of the leaves, debris and water can also cause your gutters to pull loose from the anchor point.

To prevent these problems and unforeseen repair costs, make sure to keep your gutters relatively clear through the fall. And, once the trees around your home are bare, do a thorough cleaning. You can also get out ahead of the fall season and have gutter screens or guards installed to prevent the collection of debris in the first place.

Clear Leaves and Pine Needles

It’s important to remove leaves, pine needles, and other debris from the your roof as well as your gutters. Even small bits of debris will hold moisture and possibly rot or mold, which will break down your roofing material.

If you’re confident and experienced in walking on your roof, get up there and broom or blow off the debris that has collected on your roof, paying special attention to the valleys, which are most vulnerable to water damage. Make sure they are free and clear of debris so as to allow water to flow. If you are not confident walking on your roof, contact us and we will send a technician to do this for you.

Look for Damage

With a clean roof, scan the surface for missing shingles or ones that have cracked curled or frayed edges.
Also check for damaged flashing around vent stacks, chimneys, and skylights. These areas are the usual suspects when you have a leak. Repairing flashing yourself may not always provide the results you expect, so give us a call and we’ll make sure everything is sealed properly before the rain hits. This is critical for extending the life of your roof.

Attic Insulation and Ventilation

Without adequate airflow in your attic, you could be looking at higher-that-necessary energy bills and roof leaks emerging in a snowstorm. During the day, sunlight hits your roof and heats up the air in your attic. Without vents located at the soffits, ridges, and/or gables of your roof, the hot air condensates, causing moisture damage and possible mold or rot in your roof’s supports.

This heat can also cause ice dams in higher elevations, inviting leaks when snow accumulates on your roof. Ice dams can be an issue in Central Oregon with our cold nights and sunny winter days. If your roof accumulates snow we can remove it. Contact us for information regarding roof snow removal.