It's that time of year again! Autumn is just around the corner, which means it's time to start thinking about preparing your home for the colder months ahead. As temperatures cool and leaves begin to fall, your roof is impacted in a number of ways. From an increase in debris to potential ice dams, fall can be hard on your roof. One of the most important things you can do to get your home ready for winter is to make sure your roof is in good shape. Here are a few tips to help you get your fall roof ready...
Replace or Repair Shingles
Inspect your roof for any damage. Fallen leaves and branches can cause damage to your roof. Look for missing or damaged shingle materials, cracked caulk or sealant, rust spots on metal flashing, or any other signs of wear and tear. If you find any damage, make sure to repair it before the winter weather sets in. Inspect your roof regularly for any missing or damaged shingles, or call your local roofing company to schedule a free roof inspection before it gets too cold to do so. If you find any damage, make sure to have it repaired as soon as possible to help prevent further damage.
Clean Off Debris
If you haven’t cleaned out your gutters and downspouts yet, now is the perfect time for a gutter cleaning. Clogged gutters can cause serious problems, such as ice dams, so it's important to keep them clean. This will help prevent water damage to your home during the winter months. If you have gutters, make sure they are clean and clear of any debris.
Your home’s gutters play an important role in keeping your house in good condition. By funneling rainwater away from your home’s foundation, gutters help prevent water damage that can lead to expensive repairs. Gutters also help protect your home’s siding and windows from water damage. While gutters are built to last, they do require some maintenance to keep them working properly. Leaves, twigs, and other debris can clog your gutters, causing water to back up and overflow. When this happens, water can damage your gutters, siding, and foundation.
Gutter cleaning is a pretty simple task, and the cost to clean gutters isn’t big. You don’t need a lot of tools to clean gutters, either. You'll need a ladder, a bucket, a garden hose, and a pair of gloves. The best way to clean gutters is to start by removing any large debris from the gutters. Then, using the hose, flush out any remaining dirt and debris. Once you have clean gutters, be sure to check the downspouts to make sure they are clear. If they are clogged, use pliers or a garden hose to remove the obstruction. Once you've finished cleaning your gutters, it's a good idea to inspect them for any signs of damage.
Check For Leaks
You should check your roof for leaks before the first snowfall hits. Look for signs of moisture such as wet spots or puddles on the ground near your house. Look out for signs of discoloration of your ceiling due to water damage. Water can make the drywall feel soft and easy to poke through, too. If you find any water damage, call an expert right away, as it can be dangerous to leave it unattended.
Seal Cracks with Waterproofing Materials
Once you’ve found the leak, you need to fix it quickly. This will prevent water damage to your home. To do so, use waterproofing materials such as tarps, caulking, and sealants. These products help keep out rainwater and other forms of precipitation. You can also do some roof maintenance and apply a fresh coat of sealant to your roof. This will help protect it from the harsh winter weather and prevent any leaks or other problems. Better Homes & Gardens has some helpful hints on sealing any cracks in your home.
Trim Your Trees
Trim any trees or branches that are close to your roof. Overhanging branches can damage your roof or gutters in a storm and cause need for roof repair, so it's best to trim them back. The leaves from these branches can also accumulate on your roof and create dams that water can’t drain from. This can lead to water damage. It’s best to do this now rather than when the temperatures start to drop. The Waterworks agrees with trimming your trees now in order to make the season more enjoyable for you and your family.
Inspect Exterior Fixtures
Check your gutters, downspouts, chimneys, and other exterior fixtures before winter sets in. Make sure they are clear of leaves and debris. Have these fixtures inspected and cleaned by a professional if necessary. Be aware of ice dams. Ice dams can form when snow and ice melt and refreeze on your roof. This can cause water to back up under your shingle materials and lead to leaks. If you live in an area prone to ice dams, take steps to prevent them, such as installing heated gutters or removing snow from your roof regularly. Family Handyman recommends adding a heated cable to your roof if it's prone to ice dams.
Schedule a Roof Inspection
Schedule a roof inspection. It’s a good idea to have your roof inspected, or have roof maintenance, by a professional at least once a year. This can help identify any potential problems so they can be repaired before they cause major damage. Climbing on your roof can be dangerous, and sometimes you can’t see any roof damage from the ground. A local roofing company can conduct a free roof inspection to give you peace of mind.
By taking a few simple steps, you can have roof fall protection. Regularly removing debris, inspecting for damage, and being aware of ice dams can help prevent problems. Scheduling a roof inspection can help identify any potential issues before they become major problems.
Why Prep?
If you don't take the time to prep your roof for fall, you could end up with some serious problems come winter. Your gutters could get clogged with leaves and cause water damage, and your shingle materials could start to loosen and fall off. The winter in northern states makes the temperature too cold for shingles to set. This is why it isn’t recommended to wait for a roof repair or replacement. You don’t want to leave roof damage all winter either, though. If you suspect you have roof damage in the colder seasons, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local roofing company for roof repair services.
Investment
A house is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. It’s also one of the most important. Your home is your refuge from the outside world, a place to raise a family and create memories. It’s also a significant financial investment. The value of your home is determined by a number of factors, including the location, the size of the property, the condition of the property, and the real estate market. In general, homes appreciate in value over time. This appreciation can be a significant source of wealth for homeowners. Whatever you do, remember that your home is an investment. Treat it accordingly, and it will provide you with shelter, security, and financial benefits for years to come. If you leave your roof vulnerable to the colder elements, then your investment depreciates.
Decorate!
When it comes to decorating your home for fall, there are plenty of ways to add a touch of autumnal charm to the exterior of your home. From pumpkins and gourds to corn stalks and hay bales, there are endless possibilities when it comes to giving your home a festive makeover for the season.
One of the simplest and most popular ways to decorate for fall is to add a few pumpkins or gourds to your porch or doorstep. You can either purchase these items from a local farm or grocery store, or you can even try your hand at growing your own. If you want to get really creative, you can even carve out your own unique designs on your pumpkins!
Another popular way to decorate for fall is to use corn stalks and hay bales to create a festive display. This is a great way to add some height and dimension to your décor, and it’s also a great way to reuse items that you may already have on hand. Simply stack the hay bales and corn stalks in a pyramid shape and adorn with fall-themed decorations, such as pumpkins, leaves, or even scarecrows.
Finally, don’t forget about the power of string lights when it comes to giving your home a warm and inviting feeling for fall. Wrap them around your porch rails, drape them from trees, or even weave them through your corn stalks and hay bales for a truly magical effect. Just be careful if you plan to add anything to your roof, and call a professional for help when needed.
No matter how you choose to decorate, adding a few festive touches to the exterior of your home is a great way to welcome in the fall season.
As Summer Ends…
As we head into fall, it's important to take some time to prep our homes for the change in season. This means everything from gutter cleaning to making sure our HVAC system is ready for the cooler temperatures. By taking care of these things now, we can avoid any potential problems down the road and enjoy a comfortable and stress-free fall season. Lifetime Quality Roofing has offices in Columbus, OH, Cincinnati, OH, Pittsburgh, PA, Dallas, TX, and Tampa, FL. If you’re looking into prepping your home for fall, call Lifetime Quality at 614-407-7663 for a 100% free roof inspection today!