As summer comes to a close and fall arrives, it’s that time of the year again when the weather becomes a little bit cooler, and the leaves start drying up. It’s the perfect time to change over your décor, switch over to your fall wardrobe, and take care of your seasonal home maintenance tasks.
When doing these tasks, it’s essential to not only pay attention to your outdoor space but also your roof. This means putting some roofing maintenance on your to-do list.
Roof maintenance is essential for this period for the protection of your family, your belongings, and your budget. It also ensures that your roof has the longest lifespan possible. Make sure that your home is prepared for the following months with these roofing maintenance tips for the fall season.
Check the Gutters
The leaves are one of the things people look forward to in the fall. From the vibrant shade of green, leaves would suddenly change colors to a mixture of scarlet, gold, and citrus that would envelop the ground. There’s nothing more satisfying than hearing the crunch of a crispy pile of leaves beneath your feet. However, these leaves don’t just fall on the ground.
A lot of leaves usually end up in the gutters; it’s why cleaning your gutters is extremely important during this season. The gutter’s purpose is to keep the flow of water off your roof. When leaves and other debris don’t get cleared out, it can block the water flow and prevent proper drainage.
The accumulated water will freeze once the temperature drops and add unnecessary weight on your gutters and roof, resulting in massive damages.
During this season, make sure to check your gutters and clean them thoroughly. Homeowners can either hire professionals to do this or handle it by themselves. With a little effort, you can ensure that water can freely move away from your home. Use this opportunity to also check the integrity of your gutters and make sure that everything is in good shape as well.
If constantly checking your gutters isn’t your style, there are gutter accessories you can install to prevent dried leaves from blocking gutters or downspouts. However, you should call in a roof professional to ensure proper installation.
Trim Nearby Trees
The fall season brings a lot of windy days. Besides bringing in lots of leaves to the gutters, branches that are near the roof can rub against the shingles. Residential roofs are typically made of asphalt shingles, which are covered with little rock-like granules that add durability and protection from the elements.
While these granules usually wear off and get washed away with time, overhead tree branches can only speed up this process. Without its protection, the roof becomes more prone to leaks, moisture, and rot.
A lot of homeowners would also use this time to prepare their homes for winter weather. A nearby tree with weak or dead limbs in winter will not only pose a danger to your roof and home but also put you and your family in danger. When snow and ice collect on a tree, it can collapse on your roof and affect everything underneath.
Trimming the trees that are closer to the roof will prevent branches from falling and damaging your roof. By doing this in the fall, you can keep an eye out for any dead tree limbs or ones that might have sustained damage during the summer and clear them away before they can cause problems.
Look for Chimney Problems
Fireplaces will be used more for the following months, so you should check on your chimney to make sure everything is working correctly. The chimney and its vents are vital parts of the roofing components. When these items become defective, you can’t just leave them alone. Everything should be repaired before winter can set in.
Issues like chimney leaks can be the cause of water damage on your roof, which can total up to tons of money in repairs. However, some problems can do more than detract from the value and longevity of your roof. Situations like chimney fires can also pose a danger to the house and everyone in it.
Chimney fires are widespread in the fall and winter when people light their first fires of the season, only to discover that their chimneys aren’t in good condition. Missing mortar, a damaged spark brick or metal on ventilation systems, can cause sparks that could land on roofing materials and set it on fire.
Make sure to call in professional in to inspect and clean your chimney, especially if it has been a long time since you had it cleaned.
Get an Inspection
For many homeowners, the fall season is the time to get their homes ready for the brutal conditions that come with the incoming winter season. Getting your roof inspected should be added to your to-do list.
A roof will be tasked with withstanding heavy snowstorms outside, keeping heat inside, as well as keeping out moisture. The best way to ensure the integrity of your roof remains even through the harshest winter conditions is to have a roof inspection during the fall season.
Unfortunately, many homeowners would pretend that everything is fine when they don’t see an obvious problem on their roof. The problem with this is that roofs have all nooks and crannies that there might be damages that are not visible from the ground.
If left unchecked, these minor issues could become worse, especially once winter comes. Plus, the last thing you want to have to deal with during the holiday season is a costly roofing problem. A professional inspection can help you quickly identify these issues and help you find solutions to prevent them from becoming worse.
Invest in Roof Repairs
The busiest time for roofing usually falls between late summer and fall. This is because this is the best time to tackle roofing projects. Fall creates ideal working conditions for roofing contractors. Roofing materials, mainly any asphalt and related materials, can easily set and seal on temperatures ranging between 40 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, which is perfect for the fall period.
If your roof inspector suggests that you need to repair a specific area of your roof, make sure to take it seriously. Repairing a roof is much easier to do in the fall when you don’t have to worry about snow or ice. Plus, the weather conditions that come with winter can create more roof damage. Don’t wait too long to make roof repairs and enter the cold season with a strong and sturdy roof.
Fahey Roofing Contractors has the experienced and skilled contractors you need to help you with any necessary roof repairs and roof replacement. We serve various areas in West Virginia and Ohio. Visit our website today at www.faheyroofingcontractors.com or contact us at (304) 826-1323 for West Virginia or (740) 523-0380 for Ohio to learn more.