Fall is a generally calm season for our roofing systems. You could experience strong winds and rains here and there, along with the buildup of dead leaves around your home and on your roofing system. While it’s generally a light season for your roofing system, this doesn’t mean you should ignore regular maintenance and repairs if necessary. According to home exterior design experts and repair contractors, winter is one of the harshest seasons, not only for your roof but for your entire home.
Just like spring, fall is generally considered a great time to have your roof inspected and repaired if necessary. This is because it’s a critical time to spot any underlying roof issues before the cold winter starts. It’s also a great way to avoid the holiday rush when all roofing contractors are busy handling other projects. Also, you wouldn’t want to run into any issues during the middle of winter. Aside from the inconvenience, you’ll also have a hard time looking for contractors during this period since they’re all preoccupied with other projects. As such, you’ll have to pay a premium to get emergency services.
In this post, the top interior design and roof maintenance specialist, Evergreen Renovations & Roofing, shares the ultimate roof maintenance checklist for you to prepare for the incoming seasons.
Clean Your Gutters
While it’s mesmerizing to watch the leaves changing ever so slowly during this season, they can bring about hazards to your home, particularly your gutters. Your gutters could be clogged due to the buildup of leaves and other debris. Keep in mind that roofs are designed to shed water and are then redirected into a gutter system that flushes out the water away safely from your home’s foundation. Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause water to be sent back onto your roof.
This then causes pooling water which leads to damaged shingles as the water seeps into the underlayment and causes roof leaks. Be sure to contact your roofing contractor during this season to inspect your roof, gutters, and downspouts to clean them out and see if it’s properly functioning by directing water away from your roof.
Trim Back the Trees
You might be wondering how those leaves got into your gutters and downspouts in the first place. The most logical reason behind this is due to the falling leaves from the trees that overhang your roof. Trimming down the trees that are hanging over your roof can reduce this from occurring. This also prevents the branches from rubbing against your roof and scratching or puncturing it. Additionally, trimming back the trees can reduce the growth of natural organisms on your roof. These include algae, lichen, and moss which can wreak havoc on your roof from within and make them deteriorate prematurely.
Have Regular Inspections
While this advice isn’t specifically for fall, this should be a tip that you should keep in mind all year long. Contacting your home exterior design and maintenance expert for inspections help you understand your roof’s true condition. Remember that not all roofing issues are easily seen with the naked eye. At times, even seasoned inspectors need to take a second look since some of these issues are hard to spot, and some of them could be hidden underneath.
Addressing these problems as soon as they’re spotted helps with your roof’s lifespan since you’ll solve these problems before they even worsen. It’s also worth noting that the snow and blistering cold can also take a toll on your roof, making it vulnerable, so it’s good practice to ensure that your roof is in good condition before winter comes.
Repair Problems As Soon As They’re Spotted
Carrying over from our previous point, spotting issues during fall is critical in preparing for the winter months. It would be difficult for your roofing contractor to work in these adverse weather conditions which will make the job costlier and longer to complete. This is why a proactive approach to roofing is a good mindset for every homeowner to have. Doing so grants you peace of mind and lets you enjoy the Christmas season peacefully with your family and remain ready for the spring that will come soon after.
Inspect Your Attic and Ventilation
Don’t forget about your attic system when preparing for the winter season. The attic is a space that’s often overlooked but is one of the most sensitive places that you have to inspect as it’s a haven for mold and mildew to grow. This is because of the moisture and heat present in this space. In fact, ventilation is critical because a well-ventilated attic is as good as a properly-maintained roof. This ensures that the temperature across your roof’s surface is consistent. An improperly ventilated roof will melt the snow that has built up on your roof which will then drip down into your gutters then freeze again. Once they freeze, ice dams form up which can become problematic as it can lead to your gutters or your roof failing.
Also, your attic should be well ventilated as the heat trapped inside this space can get trapped in between your shingles. As the heat rises up into your shingles, this could lead to roof blisters in the long run which will damage your shingles and reduce their protective properties. These blisters also leave behind crater-like damage that sticks out on your roof like a sore thumb.
Looking for new ways to spruce up your home with the help of an interior design expert? Call on Evergreen Renovations & Roofing! We’re always here to help and are ready to serve you. We take pride in accomplishing projects promptly and giving our customers the best service that we can. We aim to go above and beyond your expectations to make your home beautiful and safe from top to bottom and from the inside out. Call us at (503) 850-7663 or fill out our contact form so we can get back to you with a quotation.
