The roof of your home protects it from winter weather. Before the season starts, take steps to ensure it is up to par. Careful planning helps ensure your roof does not suffer significant damage during winter. This can reduce the need to file home insurance claims. To achieve this, work with a licensed roofing contractor. A solid inspection is the first step. 

Clean the Roof and Gutters 
You can do much of the roof protection yourself. Start with cleaning the roof. Remove all loose shingles. Replace them. Remove any debris and loose grit. Flush out the gutters. Leaves here can cause ice dams or overflows. Be sure that water and snow can easily run off the surface and into the gutters. 

Get Rid of Those Trees 
During the winter months, ice may build up on trees. When this happens, it creates a significant amount of weight. This can cause the tree branch to break. In some cases, the branch may hang lower, touching the surface of the roof. This can cause damage. Trim tree branches away from the roof so there is no risk. 

Head into the Attic 
The best way to look for roof leaks is to spot them in the attic. Go into the attic on a sunny day. Keep the lights off. Look for small specs of light coming through the shutters. This requires repair. Look for any signs of water damage on the interior of the roof. Is there mold? Is there any sign of damaged insulation? Have this repaired. 

Have a Complete Roof Inspection 
A licensed roofing contractor can provide a full inspection of the roof. These professionals can make repairs such as replacing missing shingles, shoring up the gutters and repairing flashing. They will also provide you with information about the wear and tear on your roof. If there is any damage from hail or wind, report it to your home insurance agent. It may warrant repairs. Your insurance may cover this. 

Do this in the early fall. Taking these steps then helps you prepare for the winter months. It can give you the peace of mind you need when the temperatures dip. It can also help you avoid ice dams, leaks and runoff. This protects your home. And, it helps keep your home insurance claims low. That will translate into cost savings down the line. 

Need home insurance? Call Transworld Insurance Group at 703-591-6668 today. We can help you get a fast, free home insurance quote.