A Winter Roof Check: Is Your Roof Up to the Task?
Then there is the question of whether your roof can stand up to what winter has in store. Have you given it an once over for clogged gutters or a shingle or two on the loose after the last storm? One does not want to discover a flaw in the roof when the mercury is in the negatives.
Should any of that give you pause, you have come to the right place. We are Texas Plains Contractors, a local company puttering about the Texas Panhandle with all manner of residential and commercial roofing, as well as work on gutters, siding, windows and doors. A phone call to (806) 450-4457 will set you on the path to having your home in order for the season.
Roofs in the Panhandle take their share of abuse from the wind, ice and the kind of temperature swings that put the materials under stress. But some forethought now will spare you an expensive shock in the cold. This is what we would have you consider.
The Necessity of a Winter Roof Check
In the worst of weather the roof has to do its job. The Panhandle sees plenty of hard conditions. What was a trifling matter in October can become something else entirely with the onset of freezing rain.
Water will get under a shingle and when it freezes it expands, lifting the shingle and opening up gaps for leaks. It is all too common for a homeowner to be none the wiser until a draft appears or there is a water mark on the ceiling. An inspection before the deep cold sets in affords you the opportunity to put things right while the conditions are still easy to deal with.
Things to Watch For
There is no need to go up on the roof to see if there is trouble; most of the tell tale signs can be had from the ground or within the house. Keep an eye out for:
- Shingles that are curling, cracked or missing
- Granules in the gutter or at the downspout
- Any sagging of the roofline
- Stains in the attic or on the ceiling
- Clogged or ill fitting gutters
- Daylight through the boards in the attic
- Flashing in disrepair near the chimney or skylights
If you see these, let a professional have a look at them before the weather makes its move.
Do Not Overlook the Gutters
More than you might think, gutters are important in the winter. Full of leaves and the like they will not drain, and the water left standing can freeze and make its way under your shingles to damage the edge of the roof.
It is an easy enough thing to clear them out. Or if they are rusty, cracked or coming away from the house, perhaps they are due for replacement. We do gutters as part of our business so we can cover it all in one visit.
And the Rest of the Exterior
The roof is your first line of defense but not the only one. You will pay more for heat if your windows and doors are letting the cold in, and old siding allows moisture to the structure below. When you are at it, have a good look at the siding and windows as well. Tending to everything at once is the best way to see your home through the cold months in comfort.
Make Texas Plains Contractors Your Call
From our Amarillo and Pampa offices we are pleased to put in the work for homeowners and businesses throughout the Panhandle, Dalhart and Dumas, Perryton, Canyon, Hereford, Shamrock and on.
What we offer:
- We are bonded, insured and licensed
- GAF certified for quality
- A BBB A+ accredited, locally owned operation
- No charge for estimates or a roof inspection
- Service Finance for any exterior improvements or replacements you may need
We are at the office Monday to Friday from 8:00am till 5:00pm.
Rather than let a storm point out the weak spots, why not get in touch with us at (806) 450-4457. Put in for your free inspection and be sure your roof is in shape, Santa or no Santa. We would be happy to help you keep the home safe and warm for the duration of the winter.
