4 Tips to Prevent and Handle Roof Damage in the Fall

Regular roof maintenance is crucial, particularly before fall and winter. (DepositPhotos)

Along with fall comes a long list of outdoor chores to finish before temperatures plummet and snow flies.

Here are four ways to make sure your roof stays in shape and withstands cold weather.

The roof is one of your home’s most important parts, so keep it well maintained and make necessary repairs immediately.

1. Clear the Roof

Wet branches and leaves keep moisture in contact with shingles, tiles or metal sheets on your roof — and this water will find ways to penetrate the roof if left sitting.

While removing these materials, look for depressions in the roof where water can pool. These dips represent areas where damage can occur with snow and ice loads.

An annual roof inspection, preferably by a professional, is the best way to extend your roof’s life. (DepositPhotos)

2. Check Shingles’ Waterproofing

During the roof check, make sure there are no loose or missing shingles. You can use a pair of binoculars to get a good look at the caulking around vents, chimneys and flashing.

If there are missing waterproofing materials, there’s still time to call a roofing company to replace the material before snow and ice hit.

Gutters have an important function: they direct water from your roof and away from your home. But they often fail because of leaf buildup.

3. Clean the Gutters

Any roofing company will tell homeowners to get rid of clogs in their gutters before winter, and there’s a good reason for that.

A clean gutter system allows your roof to dry faster. It also keeps water moving off the roof and away from the house to prevent leaks from top to bottom.

Poor gutter maintenance can be costly — it can cost $10,000 to fix the foundation when clogged gutters cause rainwater to run down the walls of a home, seeping into the slab.

Tree branches can fall on your roof during a storm, and when that happens, it’s important to take fast action to prevent more damage. (DepositPhotos)

4. Prepare for Disasters

Besides maintaining your roof and gutters, you need to prepare for winter disasters. When a branch falls on the roof in the middle of the night, having an emergency tarp or two can cut water damage to a minimum.

Since it takes time for the insurance inspector and repair team to get to the problem, covers can minimize water penetration and protect the sheeting and other parts of the roof.

While any homeowner can tackle each of these four maintenance tasks, professional help is available.

If you’re just not up to a DIY checkup, contact a roofing contractor and book an annual inspection.

Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer. You can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.