It is no secret that the attic is one place where a significant amount of heat can be lost each winter. Therefore, in order to make sure you are not losing heat through your attic and in order to make certain you do not experience an unexpected leaks during the summer, it is important to inspect your attic before winter hits. In fact, by implementing these 5 helpful tips, you can potentially save a significant amount of energy while keeping your roof and attic in good shape throughout the winter.
Tip #1: Make Sure it is Properly Insulated
Heat rises, which means the heat in your home ultimately works its way up to your attic. If your attic is not well-insulated, this heat will continue to move up and out of your home. As a general rule of thumb, you should have at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic and you should not be able to see your ceiling joists. If you do not have enough insulation, add some more so your attic will be more energy-efficient.
Tip #2: Check Your Gutters
If your gutters are full of debris or otherwise dirty, water will not be able to flow properly during the winter. If water flow is restricted, it will freeze and lead to ice dams. This, in turn, can cause leaks to occur in your attack. So, by taking care of your gutters, you can help ensure your attic stays in good shape throughout the winter.
Tip #3: Check Your Flashing
If flashing is damaged or is missing from your home, water from melting snow and winter rainstorms will find its way beneath the flashing and will freeze. This can also result in attic leaks, so replace any missing or damaged flashing in order to prevent this from happening.
Tip #4: Inspect Roof Shingles and Tiles
Worn out roof tiles and shingles are also a source of potential wintertime water leaks. So, before the temperature starts dipping below zero, check the condition of your roof and replace worn out shingles and tiles in order to stave off potential leaks.
Tip #5: Inspect the Interior
Finally, you need to inspect the interior of your attic in order to make sure it is in good shape. After a storm, go up into your attic and look for any obvious leaks and seal them up if you find any. This way, you can keep moisture at bay while also preventing heat from escaping.
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