young female walking in the snowy winter day outdo 2023 11 27 05 10 35 utc With winter fast approaching, various precautions must be taken to protect your buildings. It is important to properly prepare your roof and gutters. This will protect your home from bad weather and various damages. Here are the reflexes to have.

Cleaning gutters

Autumn is a good time to clean your gutters. Dead leaves accumulate. They block the drainage channels. The water no longer flows properly. There is a risk of water infiltration. In the long run, the foundations are weakened. You must clean your gutters regularly. This way, you minimize these risks.

There are several steps to take when cleaning gutters:

  • Manually remove debris from the gutters;
  • Check the condition of the fasteners and brackets;
  • Rinse the gutters with clean water to remove any remaining residue;
  • Check that the water is draining properly and without obstruction.

Inspecting the condition of the gutters

Regular inspection of the gutters is essential. It allows you to detect signs of deterioration. There may be leaks, cracks or loose fasteners. Also make sure that the gutters are aligned. This ensures that water flows properly. A thorough inspection allows you to identify problems in advance.

Inspect in late fall. Also do checks during the winter:

  • One ​​before heavy snowfall;
  • Another after extreme weather conditions.

This way, you will ensure that your gutters are working properly all year round. You will avoid emergency repairs in the middle of winter.

Checking roof drains

Roof drains evacuate rainwater. They are mainly found on flat or low-slope roofs. They allow water to flow directly. They prevent water from accumulating. The latter can cause water infiltration.

To test their proper functioning:

  • Inspect the drains: check that they are not blocked by debris;
  • Check the water flow: pour water into them;
  • Clean the drain grates and pipes: this will eliminate any possible obstruction.

Before the freezing temperatures, make sure that your drains are watertight. Check their condition. Examine the junction points to avoid any leaks caused by frost. If necessary, install heating cables. Insulate the pipes to prevent frost.

Contact a professional

These tasks are done at height. They require specific equipment. A certain know-how is also essential. It is not recommended to do it yourself. The work is dangerous. In addition, the tasks may not be carried out properly.

For these reasons, it is better to call on a specialist in the field. He will be able to inspect your entire roof with precision. He will also give you maintenance advice to optimize the longevity of your roof.