The Fall Home Audit: Stop Winter Leaks
Before the Snow Flies
Late summer in Utah is the perfect time to start preparing your home for the colder months ahead. The leaves
may not be falling yet, but cooler nights and autumn weather will be here before long.
Once the leaves begin to drop, they can quickly fill your gutters and collect on your roof.
Many winter water problems begin with small maintenance issues that are easy to overlook before fall. Starting
now gives you time to address them before the first hard freeze and helps keep your home warm, dry, and
ready for Utah winter weather.
Here is your essential Fall Home Audit to protect your cozy sanctuary from winter water intrusion.
Reduce the Risk of Ice Dams
Ice dams can contribute to winter roof leaks. Clean gutters are one useful part of prevention, along with proper
attic insulation and ventilation.
The Gutter Trap: When gutters are packed with leaves and pine needles, melting snow has nowhere to go. It
pools, freezes into a solid block of ice, and pushes up under your roof shingles.
The Fix: After most of the leaves have fallen—but before the first hard freeze—clean the gutters and
downspouts, or hire a professional to do it safely. Make sure downspouts direct water well away from the
foundation; extensions of about 6 feet are a useful starting point when the property allows.
Check Your Roof's “Armor”
Summer heat and high winds take a toll on your roof.
The Audit: You don’t have to climb up there, but grab a pair of binoculars and scan your roof from the yard.
Look for missing, cracked, or curling shingles.
Check Roof Penetrations: Look closely at the flashing and sealant around chimneys, plumbing vents,
skylights, and other roof penetrations. Heat and weather can cause materials to crack or pull away. If anything
looks damaged, have a qualified roofer inspect and repair it before snow arrives.
The “Look Up” Test
Your ceilings are your best early-warning system. The Strategy: Walk through your top-floor rooms and closets and look for faint yellow or brown spots, peeling paint, or soft drywall. A stain does not always reveal the source, so have a roofing or restoration professional investigate it before winter weather makes the damage worse. Don't wait for a drip to turn into a downpour. Prepping your home now ensures your winter stays warm and dry.
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