Canadian winters are famously harsh, but along the Golden Horseshoe — where cold air from the north clashes with warm air over Lake Ontario to create what is known as the “Lake Effect” — they are also dangerously unpredictable.
In the Greater Toronto Area, blizzards, whiteouts, and periods of bitter cold can suddenly give way to entire weeks where the temperature rises above zero, a pattern that can place unusual strain on roads, automobiles, and houses.
Unlike other parts of the country, where temperatures drop and stay below zero from November to March, homeowners in places like Pickering, Ajax, Markham and Scarborough must contend with the stress that heavy precipitation and rapid changes in temperature place on their houses. But like most environmental challenges Canadians must weather, preparation is the key.
To that end, here is a brief guide to some of the basic maintenance homeowners in Ontario’s snowbelt should pursue if they want to make their roofs winter-ready.
Prioritize Fall Cleaning
One of the most important but often-overlooked aspects of fall roofing maintenance is cleaning. As the trees shed their leaves, debris collects in gutters and downspouts and drainage systems. On flat and pitched roofs alike, a build-up of organic matter can lead to a range of different problems, from roof leaks and standing water to foundation damage.
Having your roof cleaned in November is a great way to ensure that the autumn debris is dealt with before the snow starts to fall, and will help you avoid problems like ice damming later on in the winter.
Schedule an Inspection
Once your roof is clean, you may want to take the further step of having it inspected for holes, tears, and damaged shingles. To book an inspection, simply get in touch with a roofing company in Ajax with experience servicing homes in your area. Ajax roofers know exactly what weaknesses and signs of stress they need to be on the lookout for, and can help you ensure that your roof will stay watertight through the winter.
Having your roof inspected before winter can also help you determine whether or not it might need to be replaced in the coming year — especially if your roof is reaching the end of its warranty.
Knowing in advance that you may need to book a major renovation project can help you plan for it financially, and will give you time to sort out the insurance and get in touch with Ajax roofers who can advise you on the best materials and style to use.
Ensure Adequate Ventilation
Keeping your attic dry and well-ventilated is never more important than in winter, when warm air rising from inside your home meets the cold outside air and creates condensation. An insufficiently ventilated attic will suffer moisture damage, exacerbate ice damming, and can even become a haven for racoons, opossums, and other types of vermin.
In Canada, most homeowners turn on the heating sometime in October, so if your attic isn’t ventilating properly it will quickly become apparent. If moisture is building up under your rafters, simply get a roofing company to install a few extra vents in the roof deck or ridge.
Nothing weathers a house like a Canadian winter, so if you want to avoid any nasty surprises come February, cleaning and inspecting your roof to make sure it is in good shape for the months to come is essential.
