With fall just around the corner, rain, snow, sleet, and ice will soon be on the way. Your roof is charged with protecting your home from everything fall and winter sends its way. That’s why you need to make sure your roof is ready for fall and winter. Here’s how.
Clear Away Debris
When fall winds pick up and trees begin to lose their leaves, debris can collect quickly on your roof. Keeping your roof healthy begins with clearing away any piles of debris that may collect on top. That includes clearing away any moss that may have begun to grow on your shingles.
Clean the Gutters
All of that debris also can collect in your gutters. Clogged gutters block rainwater and melting snow from safely traveling away from your home. They can cause water to back up into your eaves, causing mold and water damage, or gutters can overflow and damage your landscaping or siding. That’s why most professionals recommend cleaning your gutters in fall and spring to protect your roof. You also can install gutter guards to keep your gutters flowing easily without the need for regular maintenance.
Check Your Shingles
If your roof is going to keep your home safe from water damage all fall and winter, it needs to be in good shape. Examine your shingles to make sure they are in good repair and ready to protect your home from water damage. Be on the lookout for shingles that are cracked, curling or missing. Make sure that the roof grit is holding tight and isn’t wearing away, leaving your roof vulnerable.
Look Inside Your Attic
An interior roof inspection is just as important as an exterior roof inspection. From inside your attic, look for signs of water intrusion. Also, be sure that your roof is well insulated; when attics are poorly insulated, the heat escaping from your home can cause snow on the roof to melt. As it runs toward the eaves, the water will refreeze, causing dangerous and damaging ice dams.
Check for Gaps Around Your Roofline
As temperatures drop, animals look for warm places to nest, and that can include the top of your home! Examine your roofline and eaves for any cracks, gaps or holes that could allow animals to access to your attic. Remember: Animals like mice and squirrels can fit through very small openings when seeking shelter!
If your roof inspection and preparation reveals that your roof or gutter is no longer in good enough shape to protect your home this fall and winter, call The Gutterman of TN! We can install a new roof to keep water out of your home, or we could help you with new gutters or gutter guards to keep water from fall and winter storms flowing safely away from your roofline and your home.
Many home gutter systems feature underground drains that safely shuttle water away from the foundation of the home, preventing flooded basements, mold and mildew growth and damaged foundations. Just like gutters, however, these underground drainage systems can become blocked with leaves and debris. You can protect your underground drains with gutter guards!
The Problem With Underground Drain Clogs
Clogs in an underground drainage system can cause major problems. Blocked pipes can cause flooding in your yard, or even — as the drainage pipes no longer serve their purpose of whisking water away — in your basement. Freshly cleaned gutters can overflow and pour water next to your home because the water no longer has a place to go. Clogged pipes can even burst and be permanently damaged. Just like gutters, if drainage pipes aren’t protected, they have to be periodically cleaned to prevent clogging. Should underground drainage pipes clog, they likely will require a professional cleaning or, if the clog or damage is severe enough, you will have to dig up your drainage system to address the clogged pipe.
How To Protect Your Drainage Pipes
The best way to protect your underground drainage pipes from clogs is by protecting your gutters! When your gutters aren’t protected from leaves and debris, the debris that collects within the gutters is swept away with the rainwater into your drainage pipes. By installing gutter guards on your gutters, you can keep leaves and debris from entering your drainage pipes and causing clogs. Gutter guards provide a simple fix for what could potentially be a major problem!
The SafeGuard Difference
At The Gutterman of TN, we install SafeGuard Gutter Guards because we believe there’s no better way to protect your gutters and drainage pipes from leaves and debris. SafeGuard Gutter Guards are made from aluminum framing outfitted with a fine, stainless steel micro mesh. The micro mesh does a superior job of keeping debris out, versus other gutter guard systems. The micro mesh allows water to enter the gutters and effectively flow through the gutter system. At the same time, the mesh keeps out even the finest of particles so that any sort of debris washes safely over the mesh. That means unlike other gutter guards, SafeGuard Gutter Guards won’t need to be periodically cleaned, and they won’t repel rainwater during extra light or extra heavy rains like reverse-curve gutter guards can.
On top of that, SafeGuard Gutter Guards are installed with heavy duty hangers, so they’ll stay firmly in place for years to come. They come in a variety of colors and can be installed over your existing gutters or as part of a complete gutter system. If you want to protect your underground drains from clogs, or if you’ve already suffered the consequences of clogged drains and want to prevent it from reoccurring, call The Gutterman of TN to schedule your consultation today!
If you want to protect your underground drains from clogs, or if you’ve already suffered the consequences of clogged drains and want to prevent it from reoccurring, call The Gutterman of TN to schedule your consultation today!
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