The fall season is an ideal time to perform different types of tasks around the house because the temperature begins to drop outside. More people start to head indoors and enjoy the warmth they can find in the comfort of their homes. This is a great time to begin a few projects on your residential property to ensure you can tackle tasks that weren’t ideal to complete in the hot and humid weather conditions in the summer. There are a few ways to prep both your home and your roof for the upcoming seasons to ensure it’s ready for high winds and storms.
As a homeowner, one of the most important steps to take is to schedule an inspection of your property to look for any areas where repairs are needed. A professional can take a close look at the yard, siding, and the other materials on the building to determine if wear or damage is present. Some people try to save money by failing to schedule an inspection, but it can end up costing you more in the long run because any problems that are present will start to become more severe.
Inspections are necessary every six to 12 months, depending on the age of your home and the climate of where you live. They’re ideal to perform during the fall season because the weather will be a lot cooler. There’s also less chance of the inspector encountering harsh rain or heavy snow, which will allow them to perform a more thorough job.
The roof is also included in this type of inspection. As one of the main components of the building, the roof needs attention because it’s responsible for protecting the interior setting from damage. The roof will prevent environmental elements from causing damage to the inside of the house, making it necessary to hire a professional to look for lifted flashing, missing shingles, or holes that are present in the roof deck.
The fall season is also an ideal time to schedule another pest control appointment to ensure your property is protected from different types of critters and insects that can pose a threat to your home. Most companies recommend scheduling quarterly pest control appointments or around every three months. Checking for termites and spraying pesticides can protect the structural integrity of the building and reduce the risk of damage to the materials, especially the roof.
There are also additional steps you can take in the fall to prevent critters from heading indoors when the cool weather arrives. All attic vents should be properly screened, as well as any openings on your chimneys that are access points for bugs. Pet doors and mail slots are also common areas that can invite critters.
The attic and any crawlspaces that are present should also be kept dry to avoid attracting bugs that are looking for shelter and water. A dehumidifier is a reliable product to use to remove any moisture that accumulates in the air throughout the day. You can also replace the weatherstripping material that is present on your doors and windows, which seals off the home from the outside. This is an easy DIY task that requires looking for cracked materials that are loose and have separated from the building.
If you have any firewood that you store outside, keep it at least 20 feet away from the house. Spiders, cockroaches, and mice are prone to hiding under the wood for shelter and can find their way into your home if you leave the firewood too close to the building. You also want to bring pet dishes inside the building.
The fall is the best time to replace your roof. This is necessary if your roofing materials show signs that they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. You’ll want a professional roofer to inspect the structure to determine if it’s no longer offering protection on the building to ensure you can avoid severe water damage that can occur in the home. If the water damage develops, it can quickly lead to mold and mildew, which can threaten the health of your family.
Professional roofers recommend replacing the roof in the fall because it’s a lot easier to install the materials when the weather is cooler compared to in the middle of a heatwave. This will ensure the job is performed correctly without cutting any corners. Look for a company that is licensed and insured to ensure they’re reputable and can be trusted. This will help protect your investment and will prevent you from being liable if any mistakes or accidents occur.
When preparing to install your new roof, you’ll need to work with the roofing company to select the type of material you want to install. There are a few main factors to consider to ensure you have the right protection and insulation on the building. Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material because they’re available at an affordable price point. They last an average of 20 years before they need to be replaced, which is ideal if you don’t plan to stay in the home in the coming decades.
Clay tiles are another popular choice because of their high level of durability and beautiful design. The tiles are ideal in warm climates because they insulate the building and reflect the heat to ensure you can reduce your energy usage and enjoy a more comfortable setting during the warmer months of the year. Clay tiles are known to last an average of 100 years, which can be worth the investment because you never need to worry about replacing the roof again. They also create a beautiful Spanish Colonial design on the home, which is ideal if your home has historic or unique architecture.
Metal panels are another popular choice that is becoming more common. They’re another material that reflects the heat and looks contemporary and modern on all types of homes. Metal roofs are prone to last an average of 40 to 70 years, depending on how much care and maintenance they receive over time.
If you select slate tiles, they’re known to offer the most longevity and durability. However, this option is ideal for newer homes that have a stronger structure or reinforcements may be needed, which can increase the cost of the project.
Roof installations typically take three to five days to complete, which can prepare you for the winter season. Some houses with a lot more eaves and valleys can take longer for roof replacements. If you live in a larger home with additional square feet, it can take up to three weeks to complete. There are a lot more challenges and delays that come with trying to schedule a roof installation at any other time of the year, making it necessary to have it installed before the winter season arrives. The fall is the prime time for installation cooler temperatures. You can have peace of mind knowing your home has more protection and that there’s a lower risk of leaks developing with newer materials installed. Not only will the project boost the condition and quality of your home, but it will also increase your home’s value.
If your roof still has a lot of life left in it then it may not be time to replace the entire structure. It’s still important to perform any repairs that may be needed to ensure you can get the roof in tip-top shape before the weather becomes a lot stronger and more damaging. Some of the most common types of repairs that professional roofers perform in the fall include replacing the flashing around the vents and chimneys. The flashing is a strong and durable material that seals the roof off from moisture to prevent leaks from forming. Over time, the flashing can start to lift, making it necessary to replace it.
There may also be a few missing shingles or tiles that are present, which causes the roof deck to be exposed. If your roof deck doesn’t have the right protection, it can quickly lead to leaks and other issues.
A professional roofer will also tell you if leaks are present by performing an inspection in the attic. They’ll also look for any water spots that are present on the ceilings.
Most homeowners or landlords don’t consider landscaping to be something that is necessary in the fall, especially as the grass stops growing as quickly and the leaves start to fall off of trees. However, this is necessary because it prevents damage from occurring to the roof and the surrounding materials on the building. When your trees are overgrown and have long branches, it can cause the trees to have contact with the roof and cause punctures to form. This can require replacing the roof if too much damage occurs. Instead, cutting back the branches before the high winds arrive will reduce the risk of damage to the building.
Cleaning up debris and piles of leaves in the yard is also necessary because pests are attracted to the debris when they’re looking for shelter or food. It’s also important to clean out the rain gutters because they can become clogged with twigs and leaves, which invite termites. Once termites find their way onto the building, they can cause significant damage to your roof and the wood materials that are present.
The fall season is also a time when you want to give attention to the siding that is installed on each side of your home. The siding can suffer from wear and damage over time as it’s exposed to the elements each season. The two most common signs that the siding has reached the end of its lifespan are if it’s fading or peeling. Wood siding materials tend to last an average of eight to 10 years before they need to be replaced.
Rotting or warping wood siding is also common and prevents the home from having proper protection against the elements. If the materials feel soft, then you’ll want to hire a professional to replace the materials promptly. You can also look for holes or cracks that are present. Check for mold or fungus that may be present and starting to grow, which is a sign that moisture is present under the siding, which can penetrate through the walls of the house and lead to extensive damage over time.
You’ll also want to check your energy bills to determine if they’ve been fluctuating in recent months. If the siding is worn or damaged, then it won’t offer proper protection to your interior setting, which can cause your heating and cooling costs to jump unexpectedly. Although it may be an investment to install new siding, you can recoup the costs by saving more on your HVAC usage in the coming years. Ask your neighbors if they have also noticed that they’re paying more in their energy usage to ensure you can compare your bill and determine if the siding on your house is the cause.
If the paint is discolored or has started to fade, then you need to consider repainting the materials. Bubbles that have formed in the paint also indicate it needs attention, but it may not be necessary to replace the wood materials yet.
Homeowners and landlords can improve the quality of
their properties and reduce the risk of potential issues from occurring by
knowing what maintenance and repairs to perform in the fall season. By
remaining proactive, it will end up saving you more money over time and can
make it easier to own the house instead of dealing with headaches that are easy
to avoid.
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