The Homeowner’s Guide to Fall Roof Maintenance

Fall is now in full swing. Apart from falling leaves and cooler weather, it is also the time of year to perform home maintenance in preparation for the upcoming winter months. Giving your roof a thorough inspection is one major task that must be on the top of your to-do list.

As the local authority in asphalt shingle and metal roofing installations, we at Done-Right Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd. recommend taking care of your roof as early as fall. Consistent temperature changes and weather conditions can have a considerable impact on your roof’s health and performance. That’s why you need to have a plan in place to ensure it lasts long until the end of its expected life span. Winters can be especially brutal on your roof, but knowing how you can protect it against ice and snow helps you make the most of your investment.

Fall Maintenance Checklist

Before the first snowflake of winter falls, give your roof the attention it deserves this fall. We prepared a simple checklist to help you get started:

Clean Your Gutters

Your gutter system might seem useless when winter comes. However, it still has to do its function; in this case, direct melted snow toward the downspouts and away from your property. This fall, expect leaves and debris to fill your gutters, much like what you see in the image above. Remove them as soon as possible so you won’t have to deal with clogs that cause problems that may affect your roof and the rest of your home’s exterior. If it remains clogged until winter, the standing water may likely freeze, increasing the risk of the gutters detaching because of the weight of the ice. Another sensible option would be to invest in a gutter protection system. With this, you reduce the need to clean your gutters every season.

Trim Back Trees

Got trees with overhanging branches? They’re the reason why leaves fall on your roof and gutters in the first place. Trimming them back is a great way to reduce the number of leaves falling during this time of year. Not only that, but it also helps prevent the branches from rubbing against the roof surface. Every time the wind blows and the tree limbs sway, the roof suffers bruises and even missing shingles. More importantly, trimming back trees minimizes organic growth—algae, lichen, and moss—that causes cosmetic damage to your roof.

Have Your Roof Inspected

Your roof needs a checkup just like you do to make sure it is healthy and in top condition. Hiring a professional roofing contractor to inspect your roof is vital in determining issues in their early stages before they become worse and lead to untimely and costly repairs. Remember that snow, ice, and colder temperatures during winter can make your roof vulnerable. So, see to it that your hired roofers focus on the important components, particularly the attic, intake and exhaust vents, and shingles. The attic needs to have enough insulation to keep your indoors warm during the winter months. Combined with proper ventilation, your roof won’t accumulate ice dams. Of course, shingles have to be intact and free of damage so no melted snow can penetrate the inner roof layers and cause leaks.

Repair Any Roof Damage

Winter weather won’t make any roofing problems better. Taking a proactive approach in roof repair early in the fall gives you peace of mind when the colder months arrive and in spring when snow melts and rains begin to fall.

Importance of Regular Roof Maintenance

No matter the season, keeping your roof well-maintained helps ensure its long-term health and performance. It has numerous advantages, including the following:

• Preventing costly roof repairs that may arise because of damage that wasn’t detected and addressed early

• Preventing premature roof failure and subsequent replacement of the entire system

• Preventing the costs, hassles, and dangers that come with property damage resulting from roof failure

• Preventing medical costs caused by health hazards brought about by roof failure

A single leak or small crack in the roof structure might not seem urgent, but the longer it lingers, the more it is likely to grow and worsen if not immediately addressed. A leak can lead to major structural damage if not identified and corrected right away. If it has been a long time since your roof was given a thorough check, fall is the right time to do it. After all, it is cheaper to have it maintained than having it repaired or replaced at an inopportune time.

Hiring a Contractor for Your Roof Maintenance

There are two reasons why it is more sensible to leave the roof inspection and repair tasks to the pros. For one, so you don’t have to. Many homeowners have tried doing the things experts do, but they often put themselves in harm’s way because of their inexperience. Professional roofers have the necessary training and equipment to perform maintenance on top of roofs, employing safety precautions beforehand to prevent accidents.

Another reason involves the actual expertise of the roofers themselves. They know what to look for, relying on their years of experience to identify problems and correct them with minimal time and effort. Even the most obscure types of damage won’t go undiscovered with them around. In some cases, they may use the latest technology to find out sources of leaks and areas where there’s plenty of moisture.

Remember that your roofing contractor can make or break your efforts to keep your roof in good condition for the colder months. As such, make sure you work with the right professionals. Follow these tips in making your choice:

• Look for Experience – Choose a contractor with significant years of experience in the roofing industry. Make sure they specialize in roof maintenance, not just roof installations and replacements.

• Review Credentials – Check the licenses and certifications of a prospective contractor. These are an indication that they are qualified to provide roofing services in your area.

• Go Local – Roofers in your local area know what challenges roofs often face. This puts them in the best position to take care of your roof because they know the issues you are likely to deal with and how to resolve them.

Whether you have a sloped or flat roofing system, Done-Right Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd. has you covered. Our team is fully insured, manufacturer-certified, and highly trained to bring you the best roofing service with the utmost care and professionalism. Give us a call at (905) 875-2888 or fill out our contact form to learn more about how we can help in maintaining your roof this fall.