As the days get shorter and cooler, the leaves begin to change, and the kids return to school for the year, it’s time to begin preparing for the wetter weather that’s right around the corner, to ensure your family stays safe and warm all winter long. Here are a few tips for preparing your roof this fall.

Clean The Gutters

Your gutters are a vital part of your roofing sytem. If leaves and other debris are allowed to build up, the downspouts can become clogged and hinder drainage. Not only does this mean they can overflow and cause damage to your roof, trim, and siding, but additionally the gutters can become too heavy from the weight of the wet debris and begin to pull free and break off. This is especially true in regions where snow and ice buildup is a concern. A thorough cleaning to remove the debris is essential and gutter screens can be beneficial for long term ease of maintenance.

Clear The Roof

Leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other such debris present a problem if allowed to remain on your roof surface as well. These can hold in moisture, leading to rot or mold, causing your roofing material to break down over time. Sweep or blow off the debris that has accumulated on your roof, especially in the valleys where your roof most needs a clear path for water to flow.

Trim The Trees

Tree limbs and branches that overhang your roof will shed leaves in the fall, clogging your gutters continuously if not properly maintained. High winds, and the added weight of ice or snow can cause these branches to break and damage your roof as well. Trim back any branches that might cause an unexpected and expensive repair during the winter months.

Check For Damage

Now that your roof is clear, it’s a great time to take a look at the overall condition of your roof and shingles. If climbing up to get a first hand look isn’t something you are comfortable with, grab a pair of binoculars to make and inspection from the ground. You’ll want to look for any missing or damaged shingles, or damaged flashing around vents, chimneys, or skylights, since these areas are most likely to be the source of a leak. Also scan the fascia boards and soffits for damage, to ensure they won’t let in water under the roof line.

Don’t Forget The Attic

Head up into the attic to take a look at the roof from the inside. If there are any spots where you can see sunlight coming through, this means water can come through as well, so you’ll need to make repairs right away. Check for any signs of mold or mildew – these will lead to a number of problems if left untreated, such as causing damage to the timbers, and can be a major health hazard within your home. Ensure your attic has proper airflow and insulation to eliminate moisture problems from condensation, as well as maintain optimum energy efficiency.

Hire A Professional

While there are many smaller problems you may be able to tackle on your own if you are a handy homeowner, there is no better option than to call in a roofing expert to perform a yearly inspection or make any major repairs. Their experienced eye will easily spot things you might have missed and the additional cost will be offset by avoiding any costly and life-disrupting repairs, as well as prolonging the life expectancy of your roofing system.

When disaster strikes in the form of a storm-damaged roof, or a small problem is about to become a big one, and even when it’s just the right time for an upgrade, every homeowner who needs to install or repair a roof faces the same problem first: how to choose the right roofing contractor. You need the job done quickly an efficiently, but done well. Here is some advice to help you choose a contractor who is knowledgeable, experienced, trustworthy, and professional.

1. Get local referrals. A local contractor will be familiar with your community’s rules and code regulations, and have a relationship with your local crews and suppliers. This can increase the chance that the job will be finished in a timely fashion with no unexpected delays or unforeseen problems. Ask friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers whom they have used in the past and whether they were satisfied with the process. Use review sites and social media for an even wider reflection of customer satisfaction once you have a few in mind.

2. Get multiple (at least 3) estimates. Before allowing anyone to come to your home, be sure to ask if there is any charge for an estimate. Treat this step the same as you would when getting an auto repair estimate. Be wary of a bid that is not in a similar range to other estimates. A bid that is too low might reflect poor quality workmanship or inferior materials, or might simply mean the contractor has access to good quality materials at a lower price. Don’t be afraid to ask if the price seems too good to be true.

3. Verify that the contractor has the roper licensing and insurance. The contractor’s insurance should cover all employees and subcontractors, and they should be able to provide a copy of their insurance certificate for validation. Most states require licensing for contractors. If this is the case in your state, make sure your contractor provides you with a copy of their license and confirm their status online.

4. Ask for a list of references, such as past clients, so you can call them and confirm that they were satisfied with their experience. You can also contact your state’s Department of Professional Regulation or a local Better Business Bureau (BBB).

5. Spend some time talking with the contractor to be sure the fit “feels” right. Use this time to ask questions about their experience, the length of time they have been in business, and any questions pertaining to your job in particular you may have. Good communication and understanding is essential to ensuring the process goes smoothly.

6. Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into a contract. If it doesn’t feel right, seek another contractor for comparison before making a final decision.

7. Ask for a written estimate and contract. Be sure it contains information regarding the length of the project, daily start and end times, materials to be used, safety procedures, the total bill and payment schedule, and clean-up methods. Be sure to read the warranty and ask any questions you may have, including any actions or exceptions that may void the warranty. Be sure the contract is clear, covers all relevant information, and signed by both parties before allowing work to begin.

Many homeowners will not consider replacing their roof unless it is absolutely necessary. The cost can be prohibitive to many, and the process, like many other types of construction, can, at least to some extent, be disruptive. While the decision to install a new roof should not be taken lightly, there are a number of major benefits you should take into consideration.

Safety

One major factor to consider is the increased safety provided by a new roofing system. As a roof ages, it’s ability to protect your home from the elements decreases over time. Water may begin to seep inside your home, allowing mold and mildew to grow, especially in areas such as an attic space or interior of the walls. Because this type of water damage often goes unnoticed for a long period of time, you and your loved ones could be at risk of serious health conditions as the mold spores circulate around your home, causing sickness and in some cases mold can even be fatal. The water damage can additionally damage the structural integrity of your home, cause the drywall to buckle, paint to peel, insulation to become damaged, and your roof could possibly even collapse.

Energy Efficiency

Thanks to constantly improving technology, today’s roofing materials are vastly different than those of only a few decades ago. Features such as enhanced heat reflection and better insulating factors mean your heating and cooling systems will not need to work as hard to keep your home in a comfortable temperature range, saving you money in reduced energy costs.

Curb Appeal

If you are considering putting your home on the market (and perhaps even if you are not) you should definitely take into account the benefits of a new roof to your hoe’s curb appeal. In addition to the aesthetic value, a new roof demonstrates that a homeowner has been diligent in caring for and maintaining the home. A sleek new roof can improve your home’s curb ppeal by as much as 40% – which can translate to an increased value and a quicker sale. A smart homeowner can also use this opportunity to add other appealing features, such as new windows or a skylight, which will brighten the home, making it more inviting and further decrease energy costs.

Return On Investment

Installation of a new roof can provide approximately 70% return on investment, making it an ideal home improvement project for a homeowner looking to sell or add lasting value to the home. Choose quality materials and experienced professional installers for a roof that will exceed expectations and outlive it’s warranty.

Winter can be extremely hard on your roof. Cold and changing temperatures, wind, rain, or even snow and ice depending on where you live, can all combine to wreak havoc on your home. Ice dams, caused by build up of ice and snow, can cause water to not drain properly, pooling under flashing or penetrating your shingles and leading to severe water damage. If you haven’t been the victim of ice, snow or other harsh winter weather conditions, you may have been lulled into a false sense of security, however. Warm temperatures during the day and cold temperatures at night can cause rapid expansion and contraction that can damage roofing membranes and metal components. No matter where you live, you should do a thorough inspection of your roof’s condition to be sure to stay ahead of any needed repairs or corrections.

Here are some helpful insights into just how to go about giving your roof a spring touch up:

• Trim tree limbs.
  • You should never allow tree limbs to touch your roof. The limbs can scrape the roof shingles and loosen the protective coating, shortening the life span of the roof.
• Inspect the shingles.
  • Loose, missing, curling, peeling, or otherwise damaged shingles should be replaced immediately. Hammer down any nails that may have poked up. Remove debris such as leaves or pine needles – these can trap moisture and add weight to the roof, or cause mold and mildew to grow, which will eat away at the roofing material and ultimately cause leaks.
• Check your gutters.
  • Clear away any debris such as leaves and pine needles. Spring rains will not be able to drain properly if your gutters are blocked by debris, and this can lead to water damage. Be sure the gutters are securely attached and sitting snugly along the roof line.
• Look for damage.
  • Inspect the flashing for damage such as cracked caulking or rust spots. Examine the soffits (metal or wood panels along the underside of the roof between the wall of the house and the roof line) and fascia (metal or wood boards along the roof line or behind the eavestrough) for any soft spots, holes, or otherwise damaged parts. Look for damage around the chimney and vents.
• Ensure there is no water damage.
  • Carefully check for signs of a leak inside the home as well as on the roof. A leaking roof can ruin insulation, ceilings, walls, even cause structural damage if left untreated.

If you notice any issues, or are unsure how best to proceed, it’s best to call in a professional. Many companies will offer free inspections, and the pros know what to look for – which means you will be far more likely to identify a problem before it becomes a disaster.