Fall’s cooler weather is a welcome relief from the summer heat, but it also signals the changing seasons. That makes fall the best time to prepare for the imminent weather during the winter months. As your first line of defense, your roof is of the most important areas of your home to prepare for winter. Here’s a checklist for fall roofing maintenance.
Trim trees
The last thing you need during the winter is for a dead tree or branch to fall on your home. As trees become dormant, they are more likely to become diseased. It’s important to watch any trees during the fall to keep an eye out for signals that they might need help. Look for abnormal leaf color changes or pine needles that are thin and brown. Dead branches are also a sign of disease and should be trimmed out. If you suspect that your trees are diseased, you might want to call an arborist.
Clean gutters and downspouts
You should clean gutters and downspouts frequently during the fall months to prevent buildup of leaves or other debris. If you neglect cleaning your gutters, it could lead to pest infestations, ruined gutters or wood rot problems.
When cleaning your gutters, make sure water isn’t flowing behind them and that all the support brackets are in place. You should also check that the water is draining properly, not pooling. Pooling can damage your foundation or driveway.
Schedule a chimney cleaning
Your chimney is part of your roof too, and you should make sure your chimney is in good working order before the winter. If you use your chimney during the winter, you’ll want to make sure it’s clean to avoid fires or poisonous gas entering your home. If you don’t use your chimney, you should still check the chimney seal to make sure it’s secure and assist with insulation.
Check attic ventilation
Another fall roofing item to check is your attic ventilation. If your attic is not properly insulated, it could cause some serious problems. For example, if the heat isn’t rising properly off your roof, it could cause ice dams on your roof that could result in more serious damage. Improper insulation could also cause drafty rooms or uneven heating throughout your home.
Check the roof
Finally, and maybe most obviously, check your roof. Look for missing or loose shingles. Be sure ridge vents and vents at eaves are clean from plants and debris. You should also check bird and rodent screens to prevent any unwanted guests. Physically looking at the roof and seeing it for yourself — or hiring a professional to do so — will help you identify issues more quickly.
Ice, rain, snow and wind can wreak havoc on roofs. It’s better to work to prevent issues in the fall than to discover an emergency during winter. That’s why fall roofing maintenance is so important.