Making last-minute roof repairs is crucial in preparing your home for the fall season. The roof is an essential part of our homes, keeping us safe and secure from outside weather conditions. Preparing your roof for the fall and maintaining it in good condition will make your life easier and cheaper. A well-maintained roof will be better suited to protect your home. Here are 6 tips for preparing your roof for fall.
Reasons for preparing your roof for fall
There are many reasons for you to start preparing your roof for the fall. Fall is the transitional period between summer and winter, and the temperature changes from summer heat to winter cold. Early signs of winter can bring more frigid weather, rain, storm, and other dangerous weather conditions. During the fall, there is a lot of rainfall and foliage, which can cause stress to your home’s roof. Rather than waiting for serious problems to occur, you should prepare your roof for the fall and save money and time.
How to prepare the roof
Preparing your roof is essential if you want to extend the lifespan of your home. There are many ways to maintain your roof. Protecting it from weather, and physical damage can also be financially beneficial since you will avoid more extensive repairs.
1. Trimming the trees is the first step in preparing your roof
The first thing you should do is check the existing trees around your home. The most common sources of damage are the branches and leaves falling from the trees. That is why it is wise to examine the trees around the house, especially the tall ones with branches that lean over the roof. Checking the high vegetation will ensure that your roof remains safe.
If you find rotten or damaged trees, make sure you remove them. Strong winds and heavy rain can easily break them and deteriorate your roof. If you cannot reach the branches or don’t have adequate equipment, consider hiring a professional gardener. A gardener will take care of the branches for you, give you good advice, and ensure that your roof is safe.
When you plan to plant a new tree, ensure it has enough distance from your home. Tree branches hanging over the roof can:
- scrape roof tiles and shingles
- damage the protective roof layers
- get leaves into your gutter and cause clogs
2. Overcrowded attic
Most of the time, homeowners forget to check attics. Over time, most people will continue storing more items in the attic space. Unfortunately, the attic can quickly get cluttered, making roof repair almost impossible. There are quite a few ways to solve this problem. One of the best is renting a storage unit. It is common for many people to move and store unused belongings in rented storage units. This is also useful if you plan to do some repairs or remodel your attic and roof.
But renting a storage unit can be complicated sometimes and have hidden expenses. The best tip for renting a storage unit is to know all the details before you do it. Carefully determine your budget and the type of storage you need, and then move the items from your attic before doing any major remodel.
3. Inspect the inside of the roof
After creating order in your attic, you should inspect the airflow quality under your roof. Insufficient airflow could cause structural roof problems. Good ventilation of the attic helps with keeping the roof in working condition. The lifespan of the roof can be shortened by poor ventilation. While checking, make sure that the attic insulation is in proper shape.
Please pay special attention to traces of moisture and areas of excessive heat because they are the best indicators that your ventilation and insulation are not working well. If you don’t have any heating or HVAC system in your home, consider installing both ventilation and insulation. They will protect your attic from extensive heat, condensation, and moisture.
4. Check for leakage
The fall often brings a lot of rain. It is one of the main reasons you should check your roof for leakage. The easiest way to find out if your roof is leaking is to try noticing the water traces in your attic. Damaged roof tiles or shingles can cause this. Repairing your roof before fall will save you a lot of money by reducing the potential damage to your home interior. Unfortunately, this can be a challenging and dangerous task if you don’t have adequate equipment. Therefore, we recommend leaving any complicated repairs for professional roofers.
5. Preparing your roof gutters, drains, and downspouts
Cleaning the gutters, drains, and downspouts is an essential task in preparing your roof for fall. Keeping them clean will prevent water from clogging and leaking. If a clog occurs, water may remain stuck until winter and freeze. The expanding ice will damage your roof drainage system. Accumulated ice can further do structural damage to your roof. That is why keeping your drainage system clear and prepared for falls is essential.
6. Get a professional to check the roof
Preparing your roof for fall might be time-consuming and complicated for you. If our last 5 tips didn’t help you on how to prepare your roof for fall, you might want to consider getting a professional roofer to assist you. Experienced roofers know all the small details that need to be checked and hidden places where moisture could hide.
Furthermore, a professional roofer has the proper skill set and required equipment. Moreover, in most cases, repairing requires climbing on the roof. Working at an elevation can be dangerous if you decide to do it yourself. Professional roofers will also advise you on regular maintenance and upkeep of your roof during the year.
Your roof is now ready for fall
Preparing your roof for fall should always be on your mind. If you follow these 6 easy steps, we believe you can prepare your roof without trouble. Preventing damage and reparation of the roof will save you money and get you out of the potential problems a fractured roof could cause. With the roof in good condition, you can wait for fall’s harsh weather with peace on your mind.