Here in Ohio, we never know if winter will bring relatively mild temperatures and snowfall amounts, or weeks of ice, snow and frigid cold like the winter of 2013-14. Our approach to your roof is to prepare for the worst and hope for the best! One way to prepare is to make sure the trees around your home are ready for winter weather. A weak or dead limb can pose a danger to you, your family and your home when snow and ice collect on it and lead to a collapse, possibly resulting in damage to the roof and even injury to those inside.
Here’s what to do to address potential problems.
Remove dead branches. It’s easy to spot dead wood: there will be no leaves on the branch or the leaves will be brown. On evergreens, all of the needles on a dead branch will be brown. You can tackle small lower limbs yourself, but leave the removal of large upper branches to a tree service.
Inspect the trunk. An entire tree can break or split when there are cracks or internal decay in the trunk. Places where there is no bark could indicate a dead section or fungal growth. A long streak of missing bark usually means the tree was struck by lightning. Fine wood shavings around the trunk could be evidence of an insect infestation. If you are unsure about the health and stability of your tree, contact a certified arborist for an evaluation.
Cut back live branches. Cut back tree branches so they are at least 15 feet away from your house. Limbs should be high enough off the roof to not brush up against shingles when they’re blown around by high winds. This will also help prevent squirrels, raccoons and other small critters from finding a way onto your roof and into your attic.
Clean leaves from gutters. Accumulating leaves, twigs and small branches can really do a number on Columbus, OH, gutters and downspouts. When water falls on clogged gutters, it has nowhere to go and can potentially cause a tremendous amount of damage around your house. Be sure to clean gutters at least once during the fall season, especially after the leaves have dropped, and consider installing a Leaf Relief® gutter guard system for maximum protection.
Damaged Roof? Call Our Experts
By following these tips, you can keep your trees beautiful and save on Columbus roof repair and even roof replacement costs. If you do need repairs or other roof-related services, call Muth & Company Roofing today at (614) 682-3060 for a FREE estimate!