We know this is probably the last thing you want to hear, but fall is coming – and with it means falling leaves, colder weather and a lot of preparation to get ready for the coming cold, winter months.

While you’ll certainly have your attention focused on a lot of different tasks, we hope you take some time to think about your roof – which in many ways – does some of the heaviest lifting of any of your possessions in the winter.

Here are some things you can do to prep your roof for the winter. Let’s jump right in!

Gutter maintenance

We can’t emphasize this enough – clean your gutters! Gutters that aren’t full of detritus keeps water flowing where it should and off your roof. Backed up gutters means that water can get back onto your roof, which will lead to both roof damage and mold issues.

A great way to get out ahead of this is to buy gutter guards which will save you hours of work down the road – and does so without blowing a hole in your wallet. The water will get in – but the debris won’t.

Trim your trees

Trees grow fast and as such you should always be wary of any branches that are hanging over or getting closer to your house. We recommend doing this a little closer to the winter – even as far out as the first initial freeze. The reason for this is while yes- you might have to deal with pesky leaves for one more season – you should take the time to do a comprehensive tree pruning when the leaves are off, dead branches are exposed and when the air is cold and dry so that pests and other infections don’t harm the tree.

Your roof should be priority #1, but try to keep the aesthetic and health of your trees in mind as well.

Get yourself a roof inspection

Professional inspectors will see things that you can’t. That includes peering into your attic to check and see if there’s any kind of damage. If the inspection reveals that you need work done on your roof – then you can take care of it immediately, before the snow and ice arrive. If ignored, these small issues can become major emergencies in the winter.

Especially if you have a metal roof, make sure they check for rust, gaps and other areas where there might be room for water to wiggle in. While sure, the surface is mostly impervious to these elements, things can happen, metal can shift and you can have yourself a problem. Ask a pro and they’ll let you know what you need to do.

Follow these tips and you should find yourself having little to no issues once the temperature drops and the ice and snow come. Good luck this fall and we’ll see you next month!