Forget Halloween, the scariest season for homeowners may be right around the corner

MRA experts share 12 tips for getting ready for winter’s wrath, inside and outside your home!

Halloween is here, causing many homeowners to shudder at the thought of what’s potentially around the corner: Winter is coming and with it, the possibility of frigid weather and damaging snow and ice storms. But this season doesn’t necessarily have to be a scary time for homeowners, if some care and preparations are taken. As the leading nonprofit representing the most durable residential roofing material designed to hold up in the worst of conditions — including severe winter weather — the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) offers these important steps to take both inside and outside your home to help ward off winter’s wrath.

On the exterior

• Evaluate your landscape: Trim tree branches, especially those leaning over your roof. They can snap under the weight of snow and ice. Consider calling in a professional arborist now to make sure the trees close to your home are healthy and aren’t a risk for falling in the event of high winds or freezing conditions.
• Cover your spigots: Detach, drain and store garden hoses in a protected area and install insulated covers over the top of spigots. Consider draining and shutting off valves outside the home to protect pipes if you will be away from the home for extended periods of time.
• Clean out gutters: To avoid potential damage, clean your gutters before the first freeze hits. Water that collects and freezes can cause water damming issues and structural problems.
• Choose the right roofing material: Thanks to smooth surfaces, special coatings and temperature control capabilities, metal roofs can help prevent ice dams from forming while also withstanding heavy ice and snow loads. When re-roofing, plan ahead: For extra protection, ice and water shields and waterproof underlayment for your roof also can help prevent water intrusion.
• Pay attention to ventilation: Soffit-to-ridge ventilation systems help maintain proper and consistent roof temperatures and are recommended, no matter what the roofing material. For foundation vents, consider foam covers that help keep colder exterior air out.
• Have your guard up: Snow guards are designed to hold back rooftop snow and allow it to melt more gradually and predictably, reducing the danger of rooftop “avalanching” by preventing snow from releasing in large, heavy and damaging sheets.
• Winterize your sprinkler system: Prevent frozen or burst pipes by shutting down the system and blowing out the lines

On the interior

• Up the ante on insulation: Attic and ceiling insulation of R-38 or more is commonly recommended in colder regions. Check building codes in your area and make sure your insulation meets or exceeds standards. Don’t forget that while proper insulation helps, sealing all ceiling openings and leaks is also key. Use caulk or foam insulation to help seal wiring, plumbing, light fixture, exhaust fan openings and more.
• Wrap it up: Consider wrapping insulation sleeves around pipes that run through unheated areas such as attics and crawl spaces to protect them from freezing and heat loss. To help reduce energy costs if you have an older, less efficient water heater, a water heater insulation blanket can help. For pipes inside the house, such as underneath sinks, leave cabinet doors open to help warmer air circulate and prevent pipes from freezing in the event of a power outage or the thermostat is set low while you’re gone or away from the house.
• Don’t play with fire: Make sure your fireplace (gas or wood burning) is properly maintained, inspected and cleaned annually. If you have a damper, keep it closed when the fireplace isn’t used to prevent drafts and heat loss.
• Be efficient: All forecasts indicate that energy costs are going to continue to rise, which means doing everything you can to save is a wise move. Install a smart thermostat to set and monitor settings to enhance efficiency. Remember that choosing the right roof material like a more efficient, airtight and reliable metal roof can save year in and year out.
• Prepare your winter emergency kit: Be prepared for outages with extra batteries, flashlights, bottled water and nonperishable food in the pantry. A generator can help provide the ultimate peace of mind as back up. Keep portable cell phone battery chargers charged and ready to go.

About Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA)

Representing metal roofing manufacturers in the United States and Canada, the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) was formed to help educate consumers about the many benefits of metal roofs. The main objective of MRA is to increase awareness of the beauty, durability and money-saving advantages of quality metal roofs among homeowners, as well as to provide support for metal roofing businesses and contractors. For more information, visit metalroofing.com.