Preventative Fall Roof Maintenance Tips

Fall can be a beautiful but short-lived season, especially in colder areas like Philadelphia. Before the cold weather moves in for good, you should care for your home in preparation of the winter elements. Follow these preventative fall roof maintenance tips to keep the top of your house safe and secure all winter long.

Your Pre-Winter Roof Inspection

The best way to help prevent against a roofing disaster during the winter is to have a pre-winter roof inspection run before the cold sets in. With ServiceWhale, you can easily locate a roofing contractor to check your roof for you, to ensure that there are no existing problems. If there is something that throws up a red flag, your contractor will be able to address the issue before it turns into a nightmare.

Cleaning Out Your Gutters

It can be easy to overlook your gutters and ignore cleaning them, because let’s face it, no one likes cleaning out their gutters. However, gutters that are clogged with debris can prevent good water flow. So when those winter storms hit, it is more likely that your gutters will allow for an ice dam to form on your roof, which is never good news.

Additionally, clogged gutters can lead to leaks or displaced water, which can ruin your home’s siding and foundation. This fall, have your gutters cleaned and drained, so that they work efficiently and properly. Your professional contractor can also check your gutters to make sure that there are no compromises in the system.

Fall Roof Maintenance

Like your gutters, your roof needs to be cleaned off too. Not because scattered, wet leaves aren’t a good look for your roof, but because you need to check for things like loose shingles. With a clean roof, it will be easier for your contractor to spot damaged shingles or damaged areas around the chimney, if you have one.

Shingles that are buckling or are loose should be replaced. This can maximize the strength of your roof and prevent and avalanche of snow. Also, if shingles are damaged, removing them can reveal whether or not your have water damage on your roof. If so, you need to have the issue addressed before the wood rots and mold grows, or you’ll be stuck with a leaky roof for the winter.

Making sure that there is no damage to the underside of your roof, from the inside of your home can be another way to assure the roof’s stability. If there are signs of water damage, your contractor will fix the issue, but letting the problem fester over the winter months is a bad idea. The cold weather can be hard on the home, which can act as a catalyst for whatever issue your roof may have, thus making the problem increasingly worse and the repair costs higher.

Do you need a roofing contractor to help you complete your fall roof maintenance? Visit our website at ServiceWhale today to find Philadelphia contractors and receive your free roofing quotes.