Fall is the best time to catch roof problems. The summer hail season is over, the first big snow hasn't hit yet, and small fixes are still easy. Work through this list in September or October.
From the Ground
- Scan the roof with binoculars. Look for missing, cracked, or curled shingles, and bare spots where granules are gone.
- Check the gutters. Look for sagging sections, loose hangers, and dents from summer hail.
- Walk the downspouts. Make sure water drains at least a few feet away from the foundation. Add extensions if it doesn't.
- Look at the flashing. Check around the chimney, skylights, and walls for bent or loose metal.
- Trim back branches. Cut any limbs hanging over the roof. Heavy snow can bring them down, and they drop debris all winter.
Inside the House
- Check the attic. On a sunny day, look for daylight through the roof boards, water stains, or damp insulation.
- Look at your ceilings. Brown stains near exterior walls or around vents can mean a slow leak.
- Check attic vents. Make sure soffit vents aren't blocked by insulation. Good airflow helps prevent ice dams.
Don't Forget Summer Storms
- Get storm damage checked before winter. If hail hit your area this summer, have your roof inspected now. Damage that's easy to spot in fall gets buried under snow, and your insurance policy has a deadline for reporting it.
What to Leave to a Pro
Cleaning gutters and inspecting the roof up close both mean working on a ladder or on the roof. Falls from ladders send thousands of people to the ER every year. If you're not comfortable up high, let a crew handle it.
- Gutter cleaning: Condor cleans gutters for a flat $125 on any house.
- Condor Care: For $180 a year, you get two gutter cleanings, an annual roof health report, resealing of exposed fasteners, and discounts on repairs.
Book Your Fall Check
Call 303-900-2184 to schedule a gutter cleaning or a fall roof inspection.