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* Licensed, Bonded and Insured
* Free estimates
* Complete post job clean-up
* Over 50 years in the Washington, DC community repairing and installing new roofs

 

 

 

Fall Roof & Gutter Maintenance Tips

While proper maintenance is important year-round, during the Fall it’s especially important to ensure that your roof and gutter systems will be ready to handle the winter months that are ahead.  Here are a few maintenance tips to help make sure your roof is ready for another winter.

Trim Trees

As the leaves begin to fall around your home, you will see branches on your trees that are getting a little too close to your home.  Trim these branches back now so they do not endanger your roofing later.  If you can do this in the Fall, you can also minimize the leaves that clog your guttering system.  Ensuring that there are no dead tree limbs, large branches, or trees leaning towards your house can also prevent a potential disaster later down the road.  The extra weight of the snow could cause dead or dying limbs or trees to fall onto the house which could cause a costly repair.  Removing overhanging branches from your home will also reduce the amount of leaf build up that occurs and can reduce your chance of rot or excessive leaves in your gutter system.

Gutter Maintenance

Cleaning your gutter regularly during the Fall is important to ensure that you avoid damage to your roof and gutter system.  Clean gutters are needed to keep water flowing properly off your roof line.  Leaves and debris can cause water to back up and not drain properly though your gutter system.  Clogged gutters will splash water back onto the roof, which can lead to cracking, mold, and other damage later on.  It’s best to clean out your gutters before the Fall leaves start to rain down, and keep an eye on them throughout the season.

Consider Installing Gutter Guards

Gutter guards are surprisingly affordable and will greatly reduce the amount of time you spend cleaning out your gutters.  Gutter Guards go over your guttering to prevent leaves and debris from falling inside and clogging your gutters.  While leaves, sticks and debris cannot get into the gutters, water is still able to get through thanks to small holes in the caps.  The leaves and debris? All of that simply dries up and blows away.  Leaving you with a free flowing gutter system – without the work and drudgery of standard seasonal gutter cleaning.

Have Your Roof Inspected

It’s always a very good idea to have someone look at your roof before Winter comes so you can fix problems you may be having right away.  Identifying potential sources of leaks caused by damage to your home’s roofing system is always beneficial.  Why?  It’s far more cost-effective to professionally repair a roof that it is to replace an entire roof system that has not been properly maintained.  Or, to have to invest in significant interior repairs that may be required as the result of roofing problems.  An inspection will help you confirm the integrity of your roof and let you know if there are leaks, missing/loose shingles, or damaged gutters.  If the shingles are curling, buckling or crackling, you’ll definitely want to replace them.  Also, check the flashing around exhaust vents, skylights, vent pipes and chimneys.  If you have any leaks or gaps, heavy snow and ice will find its way in.  If your roof has any of these symptoms, then it is a clear sign that you need to repair or replace it.

The good news is, that if your roof or gutters are in need of repair or replacement, we can help! Family Roofing offers professional repair and replacement services for gutters and roofing systems.