The winter in Chicago is colder and wetter than
in other areas of the country. The phenomenon is due to the Lake Effect – when
cold air meets the warmer body of water in Lake Michigan, the water starts
evaporating, then the droplets freeze and fall back down. The resulting harsh
winters call for extra precaution measures when it comes to roofs – here are a
few things that any homeowner should do to make sure their roofs can resist
even the nastiest winter:
-
Prepare the area around the
house – inspect all the large trees around your building and cut off any large
tree limbs that might break and fall on the roof;
-
Clean, have a Crystal Lake roofing company inspect and repair your
roof and your gutters before the first snow – debris that accumulates on roofs
and in gutter pipes prevent proper water drainage and promote the formation of
ice dams, so make sure you get rid of any dirt, airborne debris, dried twigs
and leaves that might obstruct the way of water, then check the roof and the
gutters for any cracks, rust and other types of damage and fix all of them or
get them fixed;
-
Check the insulation –
suitable insulation in your attic area is essential for preventing warm air
from rising to the roof and from causing the snow on the roof to turn to ice.
