Winter will be here before you know it, with autumn already upon us. Don’t put off thinking about your roof until it’s too late. During the winter, major roof repairs are considerably more difficult and dangerous, so don’t wait on your roof preparations. Here are a few preventative actions you can do now, before those temperatures plummet, to decrease the chance of significant roofing problems over the winter while also increasing the life of your roof.

Cleaning Your Roof & Gutters

Gutters that don’t drain correctly due to obstructions are one of the worst things for your roof when the cold weather arrives. If not allowed to drain as needed, the backed-up water can cause leaks, floods, freezing, and rotting. Examine your gutters and other locations where water may need to drain to make sure they are free of dirt and obstructions. Checking for debris accumulation and removing it from your roof is one of the easiest and sure-fire ways that you can maintain your roof as the seasons change. You can do it yourself or employ an expert if you are concerned about safety, time, or effort. Leaf clusters, trash blown in after a storm or even muck or dirt that has taken up residence on your roof should all be removed.

Look For Damages

Check the surface of your roof for missing or warped shingles after it has been cleaned. If your roof is made of tiles, search for any that are loose or broken. The flashings around vent stacks, chimneys, and skylights are commonly the source of leaks. If you see any problems or places that appear to be questionable, now is the time to have a roofer inspect the roof’s integrity before the heavy rains arrive. When the rains arrive, a damaged or decaying roof might cause leaks, as well as raise heating bills when temperatures fall.

Tree & Bush Trimming

The majority of tree species continue to grow year after year. By the time spring arrives, those small branches dangling just over the roof may have become a genuine annoyance. Trimming back any branches that are close to the home now will help avoid damage and minimize the amount of leaves that will fall on the roof in the coming weeks. It is also important to rake up any leaves as they fall. This will not only reduce the risk of more debris getting onto your roof and in your gutters, but will also make your yard look clean.

Check Your Attic

Examine insulation when physically checking the attic to ensure that your living space retains heat. Heat loss from your house can cause ice and snow on your roof to melt and refreeze, resulting in ice dams that endanger the structural integrity of your roof. To maintain your roof while saving money on energy bills, make sure any pipes, vents, chimneys, and light fittings in your attic are adequately insulated. Maintaining a strong roof during the fall requires proper attic ventilation. An attic that isn’t properly vented can retain moisture, increasing the risk of water leakage, mildew, and decay causing damage to your roof’s framework.