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The leaves are changing. The air is cool and crisp. And, best of all, we have access to pumpkin-flavored everything.

Ah, yes. There’s a lot to love about the fall. However, it can be a trying time for our roofs, particularly when it comes to roof leaks.

Roof leaks are the bane of any homeowner’s existence, particularly when they happen right before (or worse, during) the holiday craziness.

Want to avoid having to go through the rigmarole of submitting an insurance claim because of a roof leak in the midst of planning the holiday season during a pandemic? I don’t blame you. Here’s how.

How to prevent roof leaks

Clean your gutters

Your roof’s drainage system, which consists of gutters and downspouts, plays a key role in preventing roof leaks because it moves moisture off of your roof. When the drainage system is clogged up or otherwise ineffective, the moisture will start to seep inside the roof.

Cleaning out your gutters on a regular basis is one of the most basic steps you can to avoid roof leaks. The frequency at which your gutters will need to be cleaned depends on whether or not you have a nearby tree or not.

It’s smart to make it a point to keep an eye on your gutters and clean out any pine needles, leaves, twigs and other debris that has built up as needed.

Not only can clogged gutters cause roof leaks, but they are perfect hiding spots for all kinds of pests that can damage your roof and other parts of your home.

Keep ice dams at bay

Do you notice icicles coming off of your roof after it snows? If so, there’s a good chance that you also have ice dams.

Heat rises in your home into the attic, where it warms up your roof and melts any ice or snow that’s sitting on it. As it melts, it slides down to cooler parts of your roof, where it refreezes into a dam.

Ice dams typically form right above your gutters, which means that the moisture on your roof is blocked from leaving, and it can lead to roof leaks, as well as other roof damage.

The key to preventing ice dams — and the damage they cause — is to keep your entire roof a consistent temperature. That requires the right combination of insulation and ventilation.

Ensuring that your home is properly insulated will greatly reduce the amount of heat that gets into your attic. And, by properly ventilating your attic, any heat that does start to build up can be removed safely.

Get your roof inspected

As a general rule, you’ll want to make sure to get your roof inspected by a professional roofing contractor every six months or so. However, it’s also a good idea to have someone look at your roof after big storms as well, particularly if it has hailed.

You can also spot check your roof in between professional inspections to keep an eye out for any damage. Areas of interest include any and all roof penetrations, including the chimney, skylights and vents, as they are common entry points for moisture.

Keeping a close eye on your roof and getting professional roof inspections will help to catch small, easy-to-fix issues before they can lead to leaks and other serious problems. In many cases, roof inspections are also a requirement for warranties and insurance coverage.

Trim branches away from your roof

Trees are a great addition to any yard and can be beneficial when close to the home because they provide shade and privacy. However, there’s a real risk to your roof if branches from nearby trees start to grow over your roof.

If there are branches hanging over your roof, they could fall on your roof, causing leaks and other damage. This is especially risky in the winter, as the right combination of heavy snow and rain can cause even larger branches to fall.

Keep any branches of nearby trees trimmed away from your roof to prevent damage. But, never try to attempt the job yourself, as cutting tree limbs is an incredibly dangerous job, particularly if they’re high enough to potentially damage your roof.

As a bonus, trimming away any threatening limbs can help to prevent your gutters from getting clogged by leaves, pine needles, twigs and other debris.

Keep squirrels and other pests away from your roof

Pests are, unfortunately, one of the most common causes of roof leaks and other damage, and they can be especially problematic in the fall and winter months. That’s because pests, like people, are looking for warmth, and many will look for warmth in our homes.

Squirrels, in particular, can do a lot of damage to your roof and attic, and it’s important to take any necessary steps to keep them away from your home.

Trimming tree branches away can help to prevent squirrels from getting on your roof, and keeping your gutters clean helps, too. It’s also a good idea to install squirrel-guards on the bases of nearby trees to prevent squirrels from climbing them.

Whether you’re due for an inspection or in need of roof leak repair, make sure that you find the right roofing contractor for the job.

As a key part of your home, it’s important that you find a roofer you can trust to provide you with honest, reliable roofing services. A great place to start your roofing contractor search is Top Rated Local®.

With Top Rated Local, you’ll get a list of the best roofing contractors in your area that you can compare side by side to find the right option for your needs. You can also read roofer reviews from across the web, including Google, Angie’s List, Yelp, Facebook and more trusted review sites.

When it comes to finding roofing contractors and other local businesses, there’s no better option than Top Rated Local. Find a roofer near you today.

The summer can be hard on your roof.

Every season presents new challenges for your roof, and summer is no exception. The good news, though, is that with proper maintenance, you can keep your roof in great shape all summer long.

4 Roof Maintenance Tips for Summer

#1. Maintain your gutters.

The gutters and downspouts are a critical part of your roofing system, because they move water safely off of your roof. If they’re not properly maintained or in ill-repair, it can cause all kinds of problems, including roof leaks.

Gutters put up with a lot over the summer. In addition to the typical clogs caused by leaves, twigs, and other debris, the summer subjects our gutters to harsh weather, which can loosen them and cause leaks.

Keep a close eye on your gutters, and watch out for any misaligned areas. Make sure to tighten any bolts that have become loose. Clean out your gutters and downspouts of any debris that may be building up in them.

Test your gutters and downspouts by feeding a hose into them. This is also a good way to look for any leaks. If you spot a leak, work with your local roofing contractor for gutter repair or replacement.

#2. Trim back overhanging branches.

There’s nothing better than sitting under the shade of a tree on a hot summer day, but when that tree starts growing over your roof, it could spell trouble.

Summer is notorious for thunderstorms, which is why you need working gutters and downspouts, and it’s also one of the reasons it’s necessary to trim back any overhanging branches. You never know when a bolt of lighting or strong gust of wind could cause that branch to fall on your roof, and if it does, it’s bound to do some damage.

Not only do falling tree limbs pose a threat, but overhanging limbs also make it easier for pests to get on your roof and potentially into your home, where they can cause a lot of damage of their own.

Trimming high tree limbs is incredibly dangerous and should not be attempted on your own. Not only could you do serious damage to your roof if the branch falls, but you could seriously injure yourself, as well. Always turn to a licensed tree care specialist or arborist near you for tree limb removal.

#3. Inspect your roof.

Between the thunderstorms that can bring wind and hail to the scorching heat, summer poses lots of threats to your roof. Luckily, if you catch damage early enough, you can repair it fast enough that it won’t lead to a lot of other damage. But, if you let your roof sit in disrepair, the damage will only get worse.

The only way to stay on top of any damage to your roof is to regularly inspect it. I don’t recommend getting on your roof unless you know how to do so safely. Even if you don’t injure yourself, you run the risk of damaging your roof with a single misplaced foot. That’s why you should get your roof inspected on an annual basis by a licensed roofing contractor.

Between professional inspections, though, it pays to keep an eye on your roof. Here’s what to look for when inspecting your roof from the ground:

Damaged Shingles – Look for curling, buckling, cracked, or missing shingles.
Moss or mold – If you live in a humid part of the country, watch out for dark spots on your roof, which could indicate mold or moss.
Flashing damage – Flashings seal the spots on your roof that are most prone to leaks, like around vents, the chimney, and a skylight.

#4. Make sure that your roof is properly ventilated.

Heat rises, which means that all of the heat in your home rises to the top-most room, which is your attic. If your attic isn’t properly ventilated and doesn’t push that heat outside, it builds up on the underside of your roof, where it can actually cause damage from the inside out.

Here are a few signs of poor roof ventilation:

Attic moisture – When the heat builds up in your attic, moisture often builds up with it. If there’s an excess amount of moisture in your attic, it’s a sign that it’s lacking ventilation.
Rusty attic fasteners – The metal fasteners in your attic, like components on your HVAC or electrical system, get rusty when the moisture starts building up too much in your attic.
Insulation damage – If you’ve got fiberglass insulation in your attic — as most homes do — it’s quickly damaged by the build-up of moisture.
Shingle damage – If the roof temperature is too high, it can cause the shingles to warp, crack, or buckle.

If you’re unsure whether or not your roof is properly ventilated, have it inspected by a professional roofer. Proper ventilation can make your roof last longer and prevent expensive damage, so it’s important not to overlook it.

Find the right roofing contractor near you with Top Rated Local®.

If your roof is in need of professional roof inspection, repair, maintenance, or replacement, contact a local roofing contractor to get the service you need. Having the right roofer on your side will give you peace of mind in knowing that your roof is in good hands, but not all roofers are made equal.

When you search for a local roofing contractor with Top Rated Local, you can read roofing reviews from across the web and quickly compare roofers side by side with the Rating Score™ system. It’s simply the best way to find local businesses you can trust.

Start your local roofer search with Top Rated Local today.

Tag: Local Roofing Contractor

Your Guide to Roof Leak Prevention