As summer nears its end, it’s time to prepare your roof for fall and winter. A little preparation can go a long way in protecting your roof from damage caused by extreme weather. Preparing a roof for fall and winter months isn’t too difficult but requires forward thinking.
Here are some ways to get your roof ready for fall and winter.
Clean Up Debris
Now is the right time to get rid of any dirt and debris such as twigs, leaves, and small branches from trees that have collected on your roof over summer. If you allow debris to lie on your roof during fall and winter, it will trap moisture, helping create the right conditions for mold and algae growth.
Not only are molds and algae unsightly, but they can also negatively affect the structural integrity of your roof and may even cause it to fail prematurely. To prevent problems, safely climb the roof using a ladder and use either a broom or an air blower to clean up the accumulated debris.
Clean Your Gutters
Your gutters prevent water damage by draining water away from your home’s foundation. Debris, such as tree leaves, small stones, pine leaves, and parts of tree branches, can clog up your gutters. Clogged gutters are unable to effectively distribute rainwater from your house and can lead to water damage.
Failure to clear clogged gutters before fall and winter can lead to clogs in the downspouts. This can result in rainwater overflowing onto your roof and seeping under shingles, causing moisture damage. Additionally, the added weight of wet leaves can bend and damage the gutters. It is, therefore, important to thoroughly clean gutters before fall and winter.
Be thorough when cleaning the corners and crevices of your gutters as leaves and other debris often stick more stubbornly in those areas. After cleaning your gutter system, install gutter guards to prevent debris from entering your gutters.
Gutter cleaning is a tiring and time-consuming task. If you have too much on your hands and are not up to cleaning your gutters, hire a tile roof contractor in San Ramon.
Trim Any Overhanging Branches
Leaves from a branch hanging over your roof can enter your gutters, clogging them, or worse. The branch can detach from the tree and fall on your roof, causing extensive damage during a high wind event. Tree limbs can also scrape against roof shingles, stripping off layers of asphalt and exposing the roof deck.
Before fall, trim back any trees located near your house. Additionally, be sure to eliminate any dead branches that might fall on your roof and cause damage to it. Whether you decide to trim any overhanging branches yourself or plan to hire an arborist, the task should be completed before the onset of winter.
Inspect Your Attic and Make Sure it is Properly Ventilated
Insufficient insulation or inadequate ventilation in the attic results in heat escaping from your home and cold air infiltrating the interior. As a result, your heating system has to work harder and longer to keep your house warm in winter. An overworked heating system is the last thing you need in winter, as it consumes more energy than usual and can run frequently into problems. Also, the heat that escapes your home can cause your shingles to curl.
Before fall arrives, inspect your attic to check whether it is adequately insulated to facilitate proper air circulation. Make sure your insulation is dry and intact. If your attic is poorly insulated or attic insulation is damaged, now is the right time to add new insulation to your attic.
During an inspection, look for signs of wild animals in your attic. If you find any wild animals in your attic, check your roof for missing shingles and other signs of damage. Additionally, check your yard to see if any tree in it has overhanging branches that may have provided access to the animals to climb onto the roof of your house.
Schedule a Professional Inspection
Before fall arrives, have a tile roof contractor in San Ramon provide a professional inspection. A professional inspection uncovers any hidden roofing problems. If a leak or some other problem is detected, it’s essential to plan the necessary repairs before the onslaught of winter. This will guarantee that your roof is prepared for a harsh winter.
A professional is trained to identify the subtle signs of roofing problems that amateurs often miss. They have the right tools for the job and are equipped with specialized knowledge that enables them to come up with ingenious, unconventional solutions to complicated roofing problems.
Perform a Visual Inspection
Before the onset of winter, visually inspect your roof for signs of damage such as roof leaks, holes, and missing or damaged shingles with cracked, curled, or frayed edges. Additionally, inspect the flashing for any damage around ventilation pipes, chimneys, and skylights.
Any damage to your flashing can cause leaks, which is why you will want to address flashing damage as soon as possible. Instead of trying to repair damaged flashing yourself, reach out to your roofing contractor for help. The professional will repair and properly seal your flashing to ensure it is prepared for the upcoming winter months.
As you inspect your roof, remember to check your shingles for any fissures, fractures, or any other signs of damage. Particularly focus on your chimney, skylights, vents, and any other areas of your roof that are vulnerable to leaks.
If you notice any signs of cracking or damage from moisture, you’ll need to either replace the affected shingles or the entire roof, depending on the extent of damage.
We recommend inspecting shingles biannually. Maintain documentation of all roof inspections carried out to keep your roof’s warranty intact.
Roof Tile Custom Specialists, Inc. is a trusted tile roof contractor in San Ramon. Our roofing technicians have accumulated knowledge and insights. Their experience has equipped them with the skills and expertise to address complicated roofing problems. To schedule a roof inspection, call (925) 634-8700.