Fall is almost here, which means winter is getting closer. Now is the time to make sure your roof and gutters can withstand the winter snow, ice, etc. If it is hot where you are it is okay to wait until fall when the temperatures are much cooler. Below are some tips so your roof and gutters will stand up no matter what the weather is outside.

Check Gutters

When it rains, water flows through the gutter system to a drainage area on the ground. If you do not periodically clean your gutters, debris, such as leaves, sticks, etc., will collect in them. Once this happens, the water cannot flow through the gutters so it overflows down the side of your home and next to your foundation. All of this can cause a lot of damage.

You can easily clean your gutters by using a small hand shovel to remove the debris. If you see a lot of leaves you can use a leaf blower to remove them quickly.

Also, inspect the gutters to ensure no areas have come loose or there is any damage to the gutter system. If so, you need to replace the gutters.

Inspect Roof

There are many things you should inspect your roof for, including:

Damaged Shingles

Inspect your roof closely for any damaged shingles. If your roof is older, some shingles may be thinned out, which reduces their durability. This is because, with asphalt roofs, the asphalt granules fall off the shingle over time. Some granules are completely normal but a lot of them is not. Compare the shingles to other ones on your roof and you will be able to see the difference. If there are only a few shingles like this you can replace them individually, which will save you a lot of money.

Look for shingles that have come loose, such as the roofing nails are gone. You can simply use roofing nails to put them back down again.  If you see shingles that are broken, replace them. If there are shingles that are completely missing, replace them also.

Ice Dams

Ice dams can form on a roof also, which can cause a lot of damage. You will see thick ice along the edge of your roof. You will also see a lot of icicles hanging from your roof, which can be dangerous if one of them falls on someone. Ice dams can cause damage to gutters, cause your roof to leak, and cause the shingles to dislodge.

Ice dams happen when heat from inside your home cause the roof to warm up. This will melt any snow that falls and the water collects around the edge of the roof. When the temperature dips below freezing this water freezes.

Insulating your attic is a way to fix this problem. Go up there now and check the insulation. If there is not enough add some more.

Contact a roofing contractor in your area and they can inspect your roof, repair it, if needed, and repair or replace your gutter system.