Fall is just around the corner, and that means your home, and your roof will need some fall home maintenance in preparation for the colder weather. For instance, if you want to boost energy efficiency in your home to make it much more warm and inviting, repairs and some maintenance may be needed on your roof.
Here’s why you need to start taking care of your roof before the rain, ice, snow and shorter days make outdoor work too difficult, and how you can do it.
Why Fall Is The Right Time To Maintain Your Roof
Many people think that checking and repairing their roofs is a job that should be done in the spring and summer, but actually you could be better off doing it in the fall. This is because spring and summer can be particularly rainy, and wet weather isn’t helpful when you’re doing roof repairs. Fall home maintenance allows you to prepare for the colder weather to come without worry.
Fall leads the way for the harsher weather to come, such as high winds, rain, and snow. If your roof is still in need of repairs when the bad weather starts, you could be leaving your home open to some serious problems. Your roof is what protects your home from damage during the winter, and it’s essential to perform fall home maintenance to prepare for it.
What Can Happen To Your Home In The Fall
The biggest enemy of your roof is moisture, which will cause several problems if it’s not prevented, or addressed promptly. Moisture can get into your roof a couple of different ways. Firstly, it can enter if there are cracks or leaks in your roof. When it rains, water will enter the roof and attic and cause mold and mildew problems. Another way it gets in is via condensation thanks to hot air. If there is nowhere for the air to go, then it can lead to more moisture in your roof.
When this happens, the mold and mildew in your roof can lead to several structural issues. When it gets really bad, it can lead to your roof needing replacing entirely. Of course, you want to avoid this, and that’s why you’ll need to fall home maintenance on your roof before the weather gets too bad.
How To Maintain Your Roof
Now that fall is here, you’ll need to assess your roof and see what kind of condition it’s in. The first thing to do is give it a thorough examining, to see where repairs will need to be made.
The first thing you’ll need to do is get onto the roof and look at the outside of it.
How to Check the Roof Itself
You’ll need to look for the following:
- Blocked gutters: These can often be the culprit for water getting into your roof. Debris such as falling leaves get caught in gutters and cause them to overflow onto the roof. You’ll need to see if this has happened, and if so will need clearing.
- Broken shingles: Your shingles are the first line of defense against bad weather, and so can often take a beating. You’re looking for shingles that don’t look like the rest on your roof. They may be broken, warped, curling in, or missing entirely. These broken shingles will need to be replaced during this fall home maintenance, otherwise you risk needing emergency roof repair services throughout the winter.
- Damaged fascia boards and soffits: These are the boards that sit under the roof line, and protect the roof timbers from the weather. If they’re damaged, they can let water in and cause damage. This is especially true if they’re made of wood, as it can become damaged over time. Take a look at them and see if they many need replacing.
How to Check the Attic
Next, you’ll need to go into your attic space. You’ll be able to see a lot from the inside, and whether you’ll need to make repairs.
- Holes in the roof: This will be easy to spot, as you’ll be able to see sunlight through them. If you can see this, you’ll need to have these repaired as soon as possible.
- Mold or mildew: You’ll want to look for this and treat it as soon as possible. If it’s left to spread, it can severely damage the timbers in your roof.
- Roof insulation: Is there proper insulation in your roof? You’ll want to make sure there is as it’ll stop warm air leaving your home in the colder months. If it’s missing or worn, now’s the time to address the issue.
How To Make Repairs To Your Roof
Now that you’ve identified problems, you’ll have to decide whether you want to hire a professional roofing contractor, or do the repairs yourself. 9 times out of 10, you’ll want to call in the experts because your roof is such an important part of your home.
If you have the right experience though, you could make smaller repairs on your roof. Here’s what you’ll need to do to get your roof ready for fall.
- Clear out the gutters: The first thing to do that will make a huge difference is to clean out your gutters. All you need is a pair of gloves and a garbage bag, and just scoop out any debris you find. It’s also a good idea to invest in a gutter guard, to stop more debris falling in.
- Repair and replace shingles: If you’ve found any shingles that need replacing, now’s the time to do it. It’s not too hard to find new shingles in a color that will match your roof, so get them replaced as soon as you can.
- Trim trees: If there are any trees that are close to your roof, now’s the time to cut them back. It’ll stop the leaves from falling into the gutter, and branches from falling onto your roof, especially when there are high winds.
Fall home maintenance is an essential part of protecting your home. If you’re in doubt, it’s time to call in the professionals. They’ll check your roof for you, and make any repairs that are needed.
Taking care of your roof is important all year round, but it’s especially important in the fall. Use these tips to look for areas that need some TLC in the coming months, and get repairs done as needed.
