Arvada Roofing Company: Be Prepared for Fall
Fall has arrived and the refreshing annual season offers a grand opportunity and reminder to pay special attention to one extremely important part of your home - the roof. Rarely given much thought unless something is amiss, preventative care can go a long way in ensuring that you, your family, and everything housed underneath that protective layer overhead continues to stay safe and secure. A barrier from outside weather elements and one of the key components for determining just how well your residence heats and cools, the roof deserves some care and appreciation year around but especially during the fall months.
Depending on the amount of exposure to these different elements, construction material, and various other factors, you can expect a roof to last approximately anywhere from 20-30 years. Given this is generally a long period of time, most individuals fail to properly maintain appropriate care and consideration for their own roof over the entire timespan. However, this investment should be treated just as any other long-term purchase and completing a few checklists this fall to maintain safety and appropriate care for your home is a great place to start.
For many, spring may be the time of year when they decide to clean, purge those closets, pressure wash, or complete some other household chore but the fall also presents a great opportunity for these and many other outdoor tasks - especially anything associated with the roof. Outside, temperatures are beginning to cool down, making inspections and any other associated work more bearable. In addition, fall serves as an immediate reminder that winter is also fast approaching with a variety of its own weather elements which could wreak havoc on your home if not prepared, so take advantage and get your roof ready today.
Scheduling a roof inspection is a great starting point to check up on overall roof maintenance and possibly identify any potential problem areas. Not only will this help to locate any structural weaknesses but it can also save money in the event that something which could potentially be a major issue down the road is found and repaired prior to any significant damage occurring.
Most homeowners will notice obvious needs, such as leaks or missing shingles, but getting a professional inspection in order to double-check a roof’s integrity when the problems may be more hidden is always recommended.
The gutter and downspout systems on a house also play an important role in keeping your property safe from water damage and fall presents one of the toughest times in the year for these components. While most parts will be truly tested during the spring rains and summer storms, moving water quickly and efficiently away from the home’s foundation without obstruction, the fall can be more troublesome. Leaves coming off trees can make their way onto your roof and into the gutters or downspouts causing unwanted clogs within the system. Potential signs of a blockage include water overflowing from the gutter above head, or worse, basement flooding. Keeping a close check on the gutters during this time of year is important to prevent any such issues while maintaining a free and clear path for water removal.
Attic/Interior
Another area which should be given special consideration while checking your roof and preparing for the fall season is inside the attic or the upper levels of your residence. As the immediate area underneath a roof, it is here where other potential dangers may be lurking which could be identified and addressed before causing any real issue. This should also be a part of any professional roof inspection as the importance of proper ventilation is key to battling mold and mildew build up underneath or moss growing atop the shingles. Keeping this area free of unwanted moisture will help the roof to perform its duties without being compromised throughout the entire lifespan of its existence.
While there are numerous methods to get algae and moss off a roof and other factors for cleaning, simply keeping the surface free and clear of debris can go a long way in helping to prepare your roof for the fall season. Sticks and leaves can wind up on the roof and should they create a clog within the gutter or downspout, it could be extremely problematic. Instead of waiting for this to occur, once you notice any sizable amount of leaves, twigs, or other debris on your roof then safely removing these items should become a priority to not only keep the gutter system working properly but a clean roof can be beneficial in helping to reflect heat as well.
Overhanging trees above your roof can also cause an issue and fall is a great time to coordinate any necessary trimming or tree cutting. The overhanging limbs not only provide a direct route for leaves to accumulate on the roof’s surface, but as they grow the potential for even more damage becomes apparent. Moving with the wind, constant brushing against the roof could wear on certain shingle types or cause damage to other roofing materials.