Thanks to our trademark trees, fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. But the same leaves bursting with striking colors in the fall can end up clogging your gutters and damaging your roof in the winter. Most people don’t give their roof a second thought unless a powerful storm blows through. Without fall maintenance, your roof can take serious and expensive damage when winter arrives. Here are some tips on how to prepare your roof for winter from our team of expert roofers at American Custom Contractors.

1. Clean your gutters.

If leaves and debris build up too heavily in your gutters throughout the fall season, eventually they will clog your downspouts. That means rain water or snow will overflow on your roof and can damage your shingles, trim, and siding. If enough water damage occurs, your roof can spring a leak and damage the interior of your home too. Keep those lovely cherry red and golden yellow fall leaves out of your gutters to prevent this expensive disaster.

2. Clear off debris.

Even if loose debris on your rooftop hasn’t reached the gutters yet, it can still cause problems. Leaves, twigs, pine needles, and any other tree debris sitting on your roof will hold in moisture from rain or snow. These materials can rot or mold, causing unwanted growth on your roof and damaging your shingles. If you are comfortable getting up on your roof, blow or sweep this debris away periodically before the winter season. If your roof climbing days are over, our team can help out with roof maintenance and inspections.

3. Inspect for damage.

When you have cleared all of the debris off of your roof and out of your gutters, inspect its surface. Check for missing, broken, or cracked shingles. Check for any damage to the flashing, or around chimneys and skylights. These are key locations where roof leaks can occur. Consider scheduling a roof inspection with a professional contractor, especially if you suspect anything is amiss. An experienced roofer can give you peace of mind or alert you to potential problems before the winter snow descends.

4. Make necessary repairs.

If you do find any leaks or missing shingles, don’t ignore them. A minor roof repair might seem like an inconvenience now, but it will save you time and money later. Catching roof damage when it is small will prevent it from ballooning into a much bigger problem during the wet winter months.

We hope these tips helped you learn more about how to prepare your roof for winter.

If you need to schedule a roof inspection or roof repair this fall, give American Custom Contractors a call! We have been repairing and replacing roofs across the Washington D.C. metro area since 1972. Do you need roof repair or replacement in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington D.C.? Our team of home exterior experts at American Custom Contractors can help. Give us a call at (301) 327-2013.