Is Your Roof Ready For Santa? (NAPSA)—Byfollowing a few simple steps, you can help prepare yourroof for Santa’s arrival and the harsh weather that mayfollow. Roof maintenance begins on both the inside and outside of your home, and taking a few moments before winter hits can save headacheslater. Clean rain gutters: Clean water and debris from the gutters. Clogs could force rainwater or melting ice under the eaves of your roof, leading to extensive damage. Check the metal flashing fitted to the roof intersections around your chimney. Incorrectly fitted flashing can lead to leaks. Check all other metal areas for warps and holes and, if found, repair. Apply waterproofing products to help protect your roof from water and preserve and condition your roof as well. Standing water, melting ice and snow canlead to a wide range ofissues. Proper attic ventilation can extend thelife of your shingles, so consider addingattic vents to help prevent ice damming if you don’t already have them, or clean out the vents you already have to reduce heat and moisture buildup in the attic that can cause damage to yourroof. Roof Replacement Finally, if your roof is getting up in years, you may wantto con- sider replacing your shingles. This may be an appropriate time to speak with a general contractor about a new roofinstallation. With each passing winter on an aged roof, the chance for greater structural damage increases. Roof repairs are not something to delay If your roof is getting up in years, you may want to considerreplacing your shingles. as they can ultimately lead to more expensive homerepairs. And with continuing increases in the price of building materials, waiting could mean paying morelater. Asphalt shingles are still the most economical and popular roofing material, covering nearly 85 percent of U.S. homes. You may wantto considera premium asphalt shingle, which typically comes with a longer warranty that could save moneyin the future. For instance, TAMKO’s Heritage Vintage laminated asphalt shingles resemble wood shake and havea lifetime limited warranty. It’s advised you read the limited warranty for complete details and restrictions when considering a roofing purchase. TAMKOalso offers other products for winterizing yourroof, such as flashing, waterproofing and cements, and a variety of roof vents, including a new solar attic vent that is powered entirely by energy from the sun. For other home-winterizing tips and to learn more, visit www.tamko.com or call (800) 6414691.
