It may still feel like summer outside, but fall and winter are right around the corner. This means that now is the time to winterize your home’s exterior. Since we can never quite predict how severe Old Man Winter’s impact will be here in Northern Virginia, it is very important to preserve the investment you’ve made in your roof, windows, siding and doors through winterization.

A home’s exterior acts much like skin on the human body. It helps protect and insulate the rest of the home from the elements. Without the right precautions, frigid winter temperatures can lead to damage and hundreds of dollars lost in energy efficiency. Winterization procedures include:

  • Cleaning the gutters to avoid clogs that eventually cause water damage and/or ice dams on Sterling roofing.
  • Examining all siding for warping and cracks. These spots will attract mold and pests during the colder months.
  • Removing debris on the roof as well as branches that overhang it. Leaves and other debris on the roof’s surface can contribute to mold and discoloration. Overhanging branches that snap in a winter storm are likely to damage shingles, gutters and even Sterling siding.
  • Repairing any warped, loose or worn roof shingles. Shingles that are in poor condition may lead to moisture damage during winter weather.
  • Insulating the attic. It may surprise you, but the first defense against an iced-over roof has less to do with the roof and more to do with the attic. Make sure that your attic is properly insulated and you will both avoid roof damage and lower your heating bill.
  • Applying weather-stripping to all windows and doors. Even if you weather-proofed windows and doors last winter, the seal on surrounding stripping has probably lost some of its effectiveness.

At Roofing & More, we recommend having your exterior assessed before cold weather hits. That way, you can have trouble areas repaired (or replaced) before they require a much larger repair project in the spring and summer. Call or

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Roofing & More today to discuss your needs.