It won’t be long before Old St. Nick loads his sleigh and takes to the rooftops, but Santa’s preparations also mark the arrival of Old Man Winter and his cold winds, rain, snow and ice can wreak havoc on roofs if not properly prepared before hand.

By following a few simple steps, you can help prepare your roof for harsh winter weather as well as Santa’s arrival.  Roof maintenance begins on both the inside and outside of your home and taking a few moments before winter hits can save headaches later in the year or the following spring.

Outdoors
•    Clean rain gutters
o    Clean out water and debris from the gutters. Clogs in the gutters could force rain water or melting ice to back up under the eaves of your roof leading to extensive damage.

•    Check flashing
o    Check the metal flashing fitted to the roof intersections around your chimney. If flashings are not correctly fitted this could lead to leaks.  Check all other metal areas for warps and holes. If found, repair and re-secure flashing to roof or siding.

•    Waterproofing
o    Standing water, melting ice and snow along with constant exposure to cold can lead to a wide range of issues, so taking care of your roof is worth the investment.

Inside
•    Ventilation
o    Consider adding attic vents if you don’t already have them, or clean out the vents you already have to reduce heat and moisture build up in the attic that can cause damage to your roof and support beams.

Replace
If your roof is getting up in years, you may want consider replacing your shingles before winter strikes.  This may be an appropriate time to speak with a general contractor about roofing repair or new roof installation.  With each passing winter on an aged roof, the chance for greater structural damage increases.

Roof repairs are not something to delay as they can ultimately lead to more expensive home repairs. And with continuing increases in the price of building materials, consumers who wait could end up paying more later on.

Looking for the most bang for your buck? Asphalt shingles are still the most economical and popular roofing material. They cover nearly 85 percent of homes in America.

TAMKO Building Products offers several beautiful asphalt shingle lines, including Heritage, Heritage Vintage and Heritage Woodgate to fit a variety of home styles and budgets. TAMKO also offers other products for winterizing your roof like flashing, waterproofing and cements and a variety of roof vents.

So, if you haven't started winterizing your roof, now is the time to take some steps toward a reliable roof this winder and avoid Santa’s sleigh passing over your house when he comes to town.