Home   |   Careers   |   Contact
Home   |   Careers   |   Contact

Fall & Winter Roof Maintenance Checklist

Autumn Leaves On Shingled Roof With Rain Gutters Nlyp63l

What better way to prepare for winter than by getting your roof ready for cold weather during the autumn months? 

The last thing you want to deal with this winter is a leaky roof, clogged gutters or ice dams on your roof. These problems are all due to poor roofing maintenance strategies and can be prevented. Easy preventative measures such as tree branch removal, gutter maintenance, and attic and roof inspections play an integral part in ensuring the integrity of your roof.

TRIM TREES

If you have tree branches hanging above or around you home, now is the time to take action and trim them. Heavy tree branches can fall on your roof and create punctures, rip off shingles, and in some cases, even tear off gutters. Even small branches can do major damage to your roof. Most importantly is the fact that the leaves they shed can clog gutters and may accumulate and decompose on your roof and gutters. Be safe and clean your gutters BEFORE the cold winter months arrive.

Clear Gutters

When it comes to preparing your gutters for winter, there are a few things you should do to ensure gutter integrity. First, make sure that they are in good condition and that they have no holes or cracks in them.  Secondly, make sure that they are well mounter to your home, as well. It’s important to note that after you have finished clearing your gutters, run water through them to double-check for holes, and to make sure they drain properly. To make gutter maintenance easier in the future, you may consider installing gutter guards over your gutters.  The guards prevent leaves, seed pods, and other debris from accumulating inside your gutters. 

Ventilate Attic

A well-insulated attic with proper ventilation can not only decrease your energy bills, but can actually keep ice dams off of your roof.  (Ice dams are pools of water that collect on your roof.) These ice dams not only hurt your shingles but can actually cause gutters to break and collapse.  During your attic inspection, you also need to check the insulation. Make sure it is working efficiently and does not show signs of water damage, wear and tear, or any other signs of damage. Common sense will tell you that the money you save in the long run, by replacing damaged insulation and by ensuring proper ventilation, is well worth the investment.

Inspect Roof

Regardless of what type of roof you have, it should always be inspected during autumn to prevent further damage during the winter months. Metal roofs can show signs of wear and tear and can be damaged just as the more traditional shingles roofs. Shingles may be missing on shingle roofs, and wind and hail may have taken its toll on a metal roof. Without a doubt, the easiest way to check this off your checklist is to simply get a professional to do a free inspection. If you choose to inspect your roof yourself, however, look for missing or loose shingles, punctures, and flashing that is in bad condition.  Keep in mind that insects such as termites, and even moss, can also affect the structural integrity of a roof.

Moss can not only uplift shingles but can produce moisture which can decay your roof. If you spot moss on your roof, be sure to remove it as soon as possible, and make sure there’s no damage to the shingles under the moss.

Any past repairs made to your roof should be double-checked every year. The repairs may not last and may make your roof susceptible to future damage. If you are concerned about a roofing issue or have questions about the proper steps to take in resolving a roofing issue, you may want to consider getting a professional contractor’s opinion.  Fixing your own roof requires extensive knowledge, and the condition may be made worse if utilizing inexperienced hands.  Overall, a free inspection is just a phone call away and can give you peace of mind.

SCHEDULE A FREE ROOF EVALUATION

If you acquire a professional to do a free roof inspection, you will not only save time, but you may also save yourself a lot of money.  Of course you can do your own roof inspection, and if you have the proper tools (such as a ladder, power drill, etc.) you can repair the damage yourself. Please keep safety in mind when evaluating your own roof. However, if you are not aware of the tell-tale signs of roof damage, you may overlook serious issues that may cause mold, insulation damage, and even fire. These issues can be prevented by simply calling a professional roofing inspector to evaluate your roof.