With the latest Nor’Easter dropping snow on overworked roofs all across Rhode Island and the rest of New England this winter, it is important to understand that a little maintenance on your roof and gutters can save you big headaches in the long run. Spring is almost here, but until the snow finally melts, Rhode Island Slate Roofing is here to offer a few post-snow maintenance tips to make sure your roof makes it through to spring in the best possible shape.

Clean Gutters and Remove Ice Dams

One of the toughest parts about owning a home is making sure the gutters are cleared in between snowfalls. To avoid any potentially dangerous injury from falling, it is best to hire a professional roofing contractor who has the special tools and experience to do the work, like the ones at Rhode Island Slate Roofing. If you let the leaves and debris build up in your gutters, the clog will start to freeze and become even harder to remove later on. Even worse, it is only a matter of time before the roof starts leaking from the hydrostatic pressure caused by water building up on your roof, leading to repair costs that easily could have been avoided. But even houses with clean gutters need to watch out for ice dams if temperatures fall back below freezing. Check out our explanation of ice dams if you need help recognizing or removing ice dams from your property.

Keep Your Trees Well-Trimmed

Dead branches near your home, especially large, heavy dead branches from older trees, must be removed if you want to avoid the risk of damage to your roof and the physical structure of your home. All it could take is one heavy instance of snow, hail, or icy rain to cause them to fall and damage your home or vehicle.

Inspect Your Roof Regularly and Hire a Professional If Necessary

Start by examining your roof by walking around the outside of your home and check for any sagging, snow buildup, or structural issues. Give us a call if you notice any potential issues, or if it has been a long time since the last time you have performed maintenance on your roof. A simple phone call to the professionals here at Rhode Island Slate Roofing to inspect your roof for potential issues could save you thousands of dollars in repairs down the road.