Winter weather is approaching, bringing heavy rain and the risk of ice dams or other threats to your commercial roof. These tips can help you prevent problems and may also extend the life of your roof over time.

1. Clean Out Your Gutters

As the leaves and twigs fall, debris can accumulate and clog your gutters. This buildup can prevent your gutters from removing water from your roof effectively.

Besides preventing water from accumulating on your roof, this maintenance tip also prevents ice dams from forming. These ridges of ice occur along the edge of your roof when the snow melts and then refreezes near the eaves or gutters, where it’s colder. This isn’t a common occurrence due to the region’s climate, but it’s a possibility.

Be sure to clean out your gutters twice per year, ideally once in spring and again in fall. This can be a dangerous process, especially if you have a multi-story house. Instead of doing it yourself, let a professional handle your gutter maintenance.

2. Check Your Roof for Damage

Before the rainy season and any potential snowfalls, assess your roof for any damage, including:

• Corrosion or rust (metal roof)
• Damaged flashing around skylights or vents
• Cracked, damaged, or missing shingles
• Water stains on the ceiling
• Bubbling or blistering (flat roofs)

Even if you don’t notice any visible signs of a problem, you should have a professional examine the roof for damage and repair it before winter. Sometimes, problems aren’t apparent to the average person and require a keen, trained eye to detect.

3. Remove Algae and Moss

Both mold and algae are common problems in areas with significant precipitation levels. With the wet conditions of winter, moss retains moisture and holds it against the roof, causing damage.

Algae thrives in moist climates, so the wet winter conditions help new growth form and worsen existing colonies. This issue will cause staining and can degrade your roof over time.

4. Trim Any Branches Near Your Roof

Trim any dead, diseased, or decayed branches hanging over your roof during the fall. Late fall is an excellent time to trim them because the trees will begin to go dormant after they lose their leaves.

Trust Our Business With Your Business

Taking care of your commercial roof helps you protect your investment. Fall is a good time for maintenance because it’s right before the wind, rain, and other potential winter weather hazards.

Reach out to Bliss Roofing, serving Portland, OR, to schedule an appointment for our commercial roof services.