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Happy First Day of Fall! Protect Your #1 Investment

Happy First Day of Fall! 🎃

With Fall brings harsher weather — so protect your #1 investment!

To protect your investment and avoid costly water intrusion or structural damage during freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, focusing on your home’s exterior shield heading into fall is vital. Taking care of these primary seasonal tasks now will keep your property well-protected all winter long.

Roof & Drainage Defenses

• Clean gutters and downspouts: Remove leaves, twigs, and built-up debris to ensure water flows freely. Clogged gutters can overflow, causing water to pool at your foundation or back up under your shingles, leading to heavy ice dams.
• Flush and extend downspouts: Check that your downspouts are clear and carry water at least 3 to 5 feet away from your home’s foundation to prevent basement seepage.
• Inspect the roof from the ground: Look closely for missing, cracked, buckling, or loose shingles. Check the flashing around your chimney, skylights, and vents for gaps, lifted sections, or rust.

Siding, Masonry & Energy Seals

• Wash and repair siding: Scrub off dirt and mildew to prevent seasonal deterioration. Look closely for cracks, warping, or loose panels in vinyl, wood, or fiber cement, as moisture trapped in these gaps can freeze and expand, exacerbating the damage.
• Seal window and door frames: Walk the perimeter to inspect the caulking around windows and entry doors. Replace any cracked caulk or deteriorating weatherstripping to block drafts, lock in warmth, and cut heating costs by up to 20 percent.
• Patch concrete cracks: Inspect your foundation, driveway, walkways, and patios. Fill any small fractures with concrete filler before water gets inside, freezes, and splits minor cracks into major hazards.

Outdoor Plumbing & Property Prep

• Winterize exterior water lines: Disconnect, drain, and safely store all garden hoses. Shut off the interior valve leading to outdoor spigots, then open the exterior faucet to drain residual water from the lines. For added security, slip on insulated foam faucet covers.
• Blow out sprinkler lines: If you have an in-ground irrigation system, make sure the lines are entirely blown out with compressed air to prevent frozen, ruptured underground pipes.
• Trim overhanging tree branches: Cut back weak, dead, or overgrown limbs that hang closely over your roof, driveway, or power lines. Heavy snow and ice accumulation can easily snap these branches, causing massive damage to your siding or shingles.
• Clear decks and store gear: Rake and mulch heavy leaf piles away from your deck, patio, and foundation vents to avoid trapping destructive moisture against your structures. Clean and store patio furniture, grills, and lawn tools inside a garage or shed.

Not Sure Where Your Roof Stands?

The roof is the one item on this list you shouldn’t climb up and check yourself. If you spotted anything off from the ground — or just want peace of mind before the snow flies — contact TTG Roof Pro’s to schedule a free estimate. You can also visit www.ttgroofpros.com and get an Instant Quote to find out exactly where you stand before winter arrives!