The leaves are turning and there is that crisp “fall” feeling in the air, which means that it won’t be long before those leaves have fallen off the trees entirely and the snow is falling in Columbus, Ohio. Before that happens, the best thing you can do is take a little time to prepare your roof for the coming cold, ice, and snow.
Clean Debris From Your Gutters
Debris like tree branches, leaves, dirt, and granules from the shingles has likely been collecting up in your gutters for several months (unless you regularly clean them already). When it gets too clogged in there, it prevents the flow of water, which means snowmelt and rain won’t make it to the downspouts. In colder temperatures, that will lead to ice dams that could damage your roofing. Clean out debris to prevent this from happening.
Repair the Shingles and Flashing
From cracks and hail bruising to missing and loose shingles, now is the time to get all those little things taken care of. Once the snow comes, it’s harder to get on the roof for repairs and the precipitation increases the risk of getting water damage inside your home. Especially take care to have your roofer inspect the flashing around chimneys and protrusions and repair it if needed.
Check the Attic
The inside of the home is a great place to spot potential leaks and other damage. It can be hard to notice these things from the top of the roof, but if you spot damage from the inside you can call a roofing contractor in Columbus, Ohio to check it out and fix it before the weather gets too cold and too snowy to perform roof repairs. Look for streaks of water, mold or mildew, or wet insulation in the attic.
Trim Back Trees
The most dangerous thing for your home’s roof, besides a water leak, is overhanging tree branches. When heavy snow falls and sticks to the trees, it can weigh down branches and eventually cause them to snap and fall onto the roof. Trimming them back away from the house helps prevent any mishaps like this.
Winter can be a beautiful season free from worries about your roofing, but it requires some work now in the fall to make sure that your Columbus, Ohio roofing is ready.