When it comes to roofs, any expert will tell you that fall is the most important time for fixing and maintaining them. In many places in the US, winters can be very harsh. So, if your roof is in bad shape or has some issues that you know about already, be sure to tackle them as soon as you can. If you don't, the cold weather may turn your small problem into a big one pretty fast. So, you want to be as proactive as possible, and the 5 fall roof maintenance tips for homeowners we're sharing with you today should help you with that.

On the other hand, try not to take it too far. There are things that people do that damage their roofs, and naturally, you want to avoid all of those. So, what are the right things to do? Let's find out.

5 FALL ROOF MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR HOMEOWNERS

1. Cut Down Branches That Are Hanging Over your Roof:  It's nice to have plenty of trees right beside your home. However, if those trees have long branches growing and overhanging your roof, it's a good idea to cut them. Now, there are a couple of reasons why you want to do this.  First, if the branches are directly over your roof, leaves and twigs will fall right into your gutter system. It will make it harder to clean, but your roof will also become a perfect place for creating ice dams. These can damage your roof in many ways, and you don't want them one bit.  The second reason is a little more serious than the first one. You see, heavy snowfall and high winds can cause big branches to break. And if they're over your roof, you can only assume where they'll go.
   
   
2. Check Your Gutters and Fix Any Issues:The gutters are essential for drainage from the roof. Rainfall and melted snow are guided to them, and away from your home, so they can't do any damage. By the time all leaves fall from the trees, all the chances are that your gutters will need cleaning. Small branches, twigs, leaves, and even mud can clog them and make your life a misery as soon as the next rain starts falling. Follow these fall roof maintenance tips for homeowners to avoid any costly issues in the future:
   • Clear debris and leaves. As we all know, gutters can only work as they should if they're clear of any barriers. If they're blocked, they'll overflow, and they may become loose. The weight of the water in them can bring them to a fall, and if that happens, you'll be looking at a costly repair.
   • Check the angles. Gutters should have a slight fall towards the downspout, so the water goes to the right place. If they're not properly installed, that will lead to pooling and overflowing in the corners. The easiest way to check this out is to take a hose and spray some water into your gutter. Look at where it goes and make sure it does the right thing.
   • Look for leaks. Here again, the hose is your best friend. Aim it towards your roof and let it spray. If there are any holes in your gutters, you should see the water dripping out of them. Luckily, these things are easy to fix. You'll only need some time and some silicone to do it. However, be sure to fill the holes or gaps from both inside and outside to prevent future leaks.
3. Do an Inspection and Carry Out Repairs: The fall is the perfect time to scan your roof and see if you can find any obvious signs of damage. Loose tiles and missing mortar are the most common problems, and you want to fix these as soon as you notice them. If you leave them like that for too long, they might evolve into one of the warning signs that you may need to replace your roof.  With that said, there are many more issues you might come across, and here's how to notice them:
   • Look for any cracks or blisters around the edges of the roof.
   • Pay attention to your chimney and see if you can spot any damage around it. Most often, cracks happen where it meets the roof, so don't skip that place. The water will get even through the tiniest holes, so if you spot any loose sealant, be sure to replace it.
   • Take a look at your outer edges or angles where the roof meets the walls. You want all of them to be spotless. 

   If it turns out that your roof needs major repairs, don't neglect to prepare your home for this process. You will likely need to find a place to keep your items secure during the renovation, and storage units can be the right solution. Store away any belongings that you wouldn't want to be damaged while your roof is being repaired.

4. Take a Walk Through Your Attic:  Although you'll be able to spot most of the problems with your roof from the outside, you won't be able to spot all of them. So, it's always a good idea to take a look from the inside as well. Climb into your attic and look for any signs of leakage or water damage.  On top of that, be on the lookout for mildew, algae, or moss growing on your tile roof. These aren't too problematic to get rid of, but you'll need to do it before the rain and snow come.  If you spot any of the problems, you'll need to invest in adequate ventilation and insulation. And if we're talking about mold, you want to tackle it before it finds its way into your home. Once that happens, you'll have a rough time eradicating it. So, don't leave it for the next year, if you don't have to.
   
   
5. Make a List: And the last of the 5 fall roof maintenance tips for homeowners is to always have a notepad with you and document any problems you come across. If you do it this way, it'll be easy to get quotes from different contractors as you'll be able to tell them what's wrong right away. Of course, some of these fixes you can do on your own. But if you aren't sure about how to do it safely, don't gamble. It's much smarter to call roofing experts and let them deal with everything for you.

Please feel free to give us a call at 951-777-6633 and we at Howard & Sons, Inc. would be happy to come out and give you a roof inspection or certification.