Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons whether you live in Youngstown, Cleveland Pittsburgh or anywhere in between. The leaves are showing off their bright, vibrant colors and filling the streets with that crisp autumn smell. Though this may sound picture perfect, the Ohio roofing contractors here at Boak & Sons want to remind you that those falling leaves can cause some real problems for your residential or commercial gutters and roof.
With colder weather looming, your home can be prone to fallen branches and other seasonal debris. To keep your roof and gutters in good shape for winter, try some of these tips for fall cleanup:
- Safety always comes first!
At Boak & Sons, safety is our first and most important rule. Clearing your gutters and roof of debris can be risky, so be sure to take the proper precautions. Wearing a long sleeve shirt and rubber or work gloves can help protect your hands and arms from sharp objects or creepy crawlers that might be hiding in the debris. If you need to use a ladder, be sure it is secure before you climb! It’s always a good idea to have someone else with you while you’re doing this to hold the ladder in place.
- Save yourself from extra work by using a tarp.
Instead of throwing the gunk from your gutters and roof on your lawn, place a tarp at the base of your home and use it to catch the mess. That way when you’re done, you can easily take a broom to the tarp and be done!
- If you are climbing on your roof to remove debris, make sure it is safe to do so.
How steep is your roof? Can you confidently walk on the slope? We highly recommend that no one access their roof on their own. But if you do, make sure you’re wearing slip-resistant shoes that fit you well. Be extra cautious when stepping over or on debris. Fallen leaves can be wet and slippery! If you don’t feel comfortable walking on your roof, call the Ohio roofing contractors here at Boak & Sons!
- If you need to spray your roof to remove debris, don’t use a pressure washer!
The power could be heavy enough to loosen shingles and damage your roof. Instead, use a garden hose with a sprayer head attachment.
- When you’re all done, be sure to use a garden hose to flush out any extra debris from your gutters.
This is also a great way to check your gutters for any leaks. If the water starts leaking out in the wrong places, you may want to have them inspected further by one of our residential gutter professionals.
If you notice anything about your residential roof, gutters or siding while you’re cleaning up that raises questions, feel free to reach out to one of our certified roofing inspectors! We’re ready to help you end this year on a high note with any roofing maintenance your home may need.
We also specialize in commercial roofing services, so if your commercial building looks like it needs some TLC on the roof, siding or gutters give us a call at 330-793-5646. You can also schedule a free estimate with Boak & Sons at https://boakandsons.com/contact/.
