Aside from the changing colors and temperatures, fall brings with it leaves and rain—two of the most formidable enemies of any roof or gutter. Without proper maintenance and care, your home’s exterior may pay the price.

Here’s what you need to know about cleaning your home’s exterior during the fall season.

What happens to my home exterior without proper cleaning?

Gutters

Gutters play an important role in routing rainwater away from your home. During the fall season, the likelihood of your gutters clogging increases with every strong, leaf-laden gust of wind.

Clogged gutters can cause all sorts of mayhem, from insect and animal infestation and a broken gutter system to structural damage to your home.

This Seattle Times article explains how clogged gutters can cause soil erosion and eventually increase the pressure on your home’s basement and foundation. This causes a decline in the structural integrity of the building. Not only will this issue be costly to address, but it will also pose a hazard.

Roofs

Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. While most roofing systems are built to last decades, they still need TLC to better protect your home.

When your roof is dirty, critters, mold, and algae can make their way there and stay. These last two are especially problematic.

Most modern roof shingles are equipped with a UV protection system. Algae growth can eventually strip away those UV-protective granules, leaving your roof unprotected from the sun. This dries out the shingles, allowing moisture to seep in.

Moisture invites moss, molds, and mildew to build up on your roof, and eventually, inside the ceiling. This poses health risks to your family and may cause wheezing and itchy eyes and skin.

Siding

The home’s siding is often overlooked when maintenance is concerned. However, they also play a crucial role in keeping the elements out of your home.

Whether you have wood or the more popular vinyl siding, mold and mildew can thrive there without regular cleaning. Aside from the health concerns mentioned above, mold and mildew can also weaken the siding, which may eventually allow moisture to seep into your walls.

What do I need to do?

Check

Check all the parts of your home’s exterior regularly, especially during fall. Debris like leaves and twigs can quickly build up in your gutters and cause clogs. Check for discoloration and deformation on your shingles and siding as well, as they are usually indications of problems.

Water spots on your ceilings and walls are also signs of leaks and worsening issues in your roof or siding systems.

Clean

Whether you see issues or not, you should clean your roofs, gutters, and siding regularly. It is the only way to avoid the problems mentioned above. Clear your gutters and consider installing a guard. Replace broken or dried-out shingles, and detail your siding as well.

Repair

Make repairs whenever necessary. Problems with your home’s exterior generally get much worse and more costly if they are not addressed in a timely manner, especially during fall. A sagging gutter, for example, can quickly bring down the entire system the next time it rains heavily.

Takeaway

Proper cleaning and maintenance of your home’s exterior should never be overlooked, particularly during fall, when the climate and falling debris are more problematic. This helps you reduce the risk of property damage and avoid repair expenses down the road.

Alternatively, you can seek the help of professionals like us to do the cleaning and detailing for you. We offer gutter cleaning and roof cleaning services. Our pressure washer services can also take care of your home’s siding. You can simply relax while we make sure you avoid the issues above.