The beginning of football, the children returning to school and the advent of cooler temperatures are all signs that fall is just around the corner.

We at A-1 Construction your professional roofing friends are giving you this information to help you get ready for fall and protect your roof as best you can.

What can you do to prepare your roof system for the changing season, and make ready for, hate to say it, winter?

First, go up and review your roof for signs of problems. If you cannot walk on your roof, put you ladder up against the roof edge and check it from there. You can also use a pair of binoculars if you don’t have good access to the roof. Check for splits and cracks around the chimney or other items coming though the roof, (i.e. stacks, vents, expansion joints, walls and perimeters). These take the brunt of the building movement as the temperature rises and falls. When you have two dissimilar materials they move differently so a crack can appear and cause a leak. Check for dirt and debris that may have collected on the roof at the drains, scuppers, gutters, and valleys and especially after the autumn leaves have fallen. Blocked drainage is a major cause of roof leaks when the late rains of October and November arrive. Look over the metal flashings for missing fasteners, splits or gaps in joints, and lifting. Check skylights to make sure they are not cracked or broken and the glazing is still intact. Look over rooftop equipment to ensure panels are securely attached so water cannot penetrate through the inside into the building.

Second, where possible, look at the perimeter of the building from the ground. Check for streaking or discoloration or unusual peeling of paint of the brickwork or siding. This could mean that water is penetrating the perimeter flashing, which could lead to structural damage to your wall. Also check for lifting in the corners, which may not be visible at the roof level.

Third, Walk the underside of patio covers or carports and look for stains on the ceiling. Check the interior of your home for water spots on the ceilings or streaks down the drywall. Small roof leaks will eventually lead to big problems if left unattended. Another thing to look for is sunlight coming through around projections. If you can see the sun, odds are you're going to see water coming through sometime soon.

Once you complete your evaluation, note your findings on a roof sketch and make what repairs you think are necessary. After you have completed your repairs, keep an eye on areas that you may think could cause you a problem. In this way, you will be sure to recognize leaks that become problematic, and may be caused by issues greater than simple aging of the system. If you're like many people who are not in the roofing business, you may not have the expertise to complete this type of inspection. In that case, give A-1 Construction a call. Their roofing specialists will be glad to schedule an appointment with you to have free roof inspection. Let us do what we do best; help you extend the life of your roof and protect your investment for years to come.

If you have any questions about the care maintenance with your roofing system, please contact A-1 Construction.