9 Practical Fall Roof Maintenance Tips
If you are grateful that summer is ending and the crisp coolness of fall is arriving (well at least at nighttime in Arizona), then you are probably not thinking about caring for your roof at all.
But fall is a great time to do some roofing maintenance work, so you can have a safe rest of the year.
Read on for some fall roof maintenance tips that will help you keep your roof in tip-top shape.
1. Pay Attention to Humidity and Moisture
Even though Arizona can be as hot as anything, it’s also quite humid.
This can cause your roof’s material to buckle and rot, and that would be a terrible thing to encounter in the middle of a winter’s night.
Make sure your roof can breathe, and if it can’t, rectify this as soon as you can.
2. Clear Your Downspout
It’s the job that everyone around the world despises, but it’s something crucial to keep up the health of your roof.
Lots of debris can get stuck in your downspout, especially if it isn’t cleaned regularly.
When was the last time you climbed up on that dusty ladder of yours and checked on your downspout?
Do it before a clogged-up downspout ruins your roof or other parts of your precious home.
3. Don’t Forget About Your Gutters
Just like with your downspout, your gutters are vulnerable to debris and dirt as well.
You want to ensure you clean your gutters, so you don’t affect the structural integrity of your roof.
Put it in your calendar to clean your gutters at least 2-3 times a year.
4. What’s up With Your Insulation?
Just because it’s hot in Arizona doesn’t mean that you can ignore your home’s insulation.
With proper insulation, you can ensure your home gets the right amount of airflow and ventilation.
This can reduce the incidence of air-borne diseases, like the flu, cold, or asthma.
As the US government says, proper insulation can reduce heating and cooling costs, and also increase comfort.
For your and your loved one’s health and to reduce your cooling costs (that AC bill getting out of hand?), ensure that your insulation isn’t damaged.
5. Check for Streaking
If you notice that your roof has any kind of streaking on it, that can be an indication that you have a fungus or mold problem.
If you treat this problem quickly, it won’t cost you as much to repair.
But if left checked, it can result in a huge dent in your wallet down the road.
6. Are Your Shingles Damaged at All?
In humid climates, such as in Arizona, the excess moisture in the air can damage or weaken your roof shingles. And also your roof beams.
On the other hand, if the shingles are too dry, they can become brittle, blister, crack and break down.
That’s why it’s so important to check your shingles regularly, so you can fix any problems as soon as they arise.
Remember, prevention is better than cure when it comes to roof care.
7. Check for Any Signs of Insect Infestation
You might be surprised to read that there are 3-5 termite colonies per acre of land in Arizona!
Tucson has even more at 12-18 colonies per acre of land.
Each colony can contain upwards of 100,000 individual termites.
All these stats say loudly that you need to check your roof for termite infestations and other insects regularly.
Look for rotten areas, sawdust, and insect waste, which will inform you that you are dealing with an insect problem and you need to get it looked at right away.
8. What About Your Attic?
Do you have an attic in your home? Many older homes have an attic that connects to your roofing structure.
That’s why it’s important to peek at your roof from your attic to notice any damage to your roof.
Can you see spots of daylight, rot, water stains, or any weaknesses in your shingles? If your attic is easy to access, it’s a great way to check up on your roof’s health.
9. Don’t Forget To Get Preventative Roofing Care
It’s always a good idea to get a professional and reliable roofing contractor, who sees roofs day in and day out and knows them thoroughly, to check up on your roof once a year.
You might grumble about the additional cost but think of it as an investment in your roof’s and home’s future.
A few hundred dollars spent here and now could save you thousands down the road.
That’s well worth the money you might spend.
In addition, despite all your efforts to check your roof and its health, there are surely things you will miss because you are not an expert in roofs.
Just like you wouldn’t rely solely upon your judgment when it comes to your heart health or gum health, you shouldn’t rely upon your judgment when it comes to roof care.
Caring for Your Roof With Fall Roof Maintenance Tips Is Easy
It’s easy to dismiss roof care as one of those inconsequential things.
Out of sight, out of mind – that’s usually the kind of epithet that applies to roofing maintenance.
But with a few easy fall roof maintenance tips, you can stay on top of your roof’s health and prevent more expensive problems down the road.
Isn’t that worth your investment in time and effort?
If you aren’t interested in climbing up on your roof or even going into your dark attic (shudder!), then it’s time to call in the roofing experts in Arizona to help you out, i.e., AZ Roofing Works.
Don’t delay – contact them today!
Call AZ Roofing Works to get a Free Roofing Estimate from the top Arizona roofing company! Find out exactly how your roof is doing. Contact us online or call our office directly at (602) 283-3383 to have your roof inspected.