Roofing Solutions
10 Things to Verify Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor
Roofing & Contractor Tips 10 Things to Verify Before Hiring […]
Roofing Solutions
Before the Cold Rain: A Fall Roof Check for Atlanta Homes
Keystone Extreme
Keystone Extreme Guide
Atlanta does not get much snow, but it gets plenty of what is harder on a roof: weeks of cold rain, the odd ice storm, and leaves from every oak and pine on the street. Most roof leaks we see in January started as small problems that were visible in October. Fall is when they are cheapest to fix.
This fall roof inspection is the one we run on our own roofing calls, written so you can do most of it from the ground with a pair of binoculars. The parts that need a ladder are flagged. Leave those to someone insured to be up there.
Most winter leaks are visible months before they start
Why Fall Is the Season That Matters
Summer heat in Georgia is hard on shingles. Months of sun dry out the asphalt, loosen the granules and soften the sealant strips that hold each tab down. By October a roof has come through its toughest season, and whatever damage it took is sitting there waiting for the first long rain.
Then the leaves come down. Gutters packed with wet leaves hold water against the fascia and the roof edge, and in a hard rain that water backs up under the first row of shingles. Add a cold snap and the same water can freeze and lift them. None of this is dramatic. It is slow, and that is exactly why it gets missed.
Look from the ground
Missing or curled shingles, dark streaks, bare patches where the granules are gone, and anything sitting on the roof that should not be there.
Check the gutters
Full gutters, sagging runs and downspouts that dump water against the foundation. These cause more damage than the roof itself.
Go into the attic
On a sunny afternoon, look for daylight through the boards and dark stains on the decking. A flashlight after a rain is even better.
Four Trouble Spots Behind Most Winter Leaks
Flashing at chimneys and walls. Where the roof meets something vertical, metal flashing does the waterproofing, and the sealant around it dries and cracks over time. A cracked bead of sealant is a ten minute repair now and a ceiling repair later.
Pipe boots. The rubber collars around plumbing vents crack in the sun long before the shingles wear out. They are the single most common leak we find, and on an older roof it is worth replacing all of them at once.
Valleys. Where two slopes meet, the valley carries more water than any other part of the roof, and it also collects leaves and pine straw. A packed valley acts like a dam.
The roof edge. Look for soft or stained fascia boards behind the gutters, and for drip edge that has pulled away. Rot along the edge usually means water has been getting behind the gutters for a while.
- Clear gutters after most leaves have fallen, not before
- Make sure downspouts discharge well away from the house
- Trim branches that hang over or touch the roof
- Look for granules collecting at downspout outlets
- Note any shingles that are lifted, cracked or missing
- Check the attic for stains, damp insulation and daylight
- Make sure bathroom fans vent outside, not into the attic
- Look at upstairs closet ceilings after a heavy rain
- Photograph the roof each fall to compare year to year
- Call a pro before climbing onto a steep or wet roof
Repair or Replace?
Most roofs we inspect in the fall need a repair, not a replacement. New pipe boots, a few shingles, resealed flashing and clean gutters will carry a sound roof through many more winters. A roof is due for replacement when the problems are everywhere at once: curling across whole slopes, bald patches, soft decking underfoot, or repeated leaks in different places.
Age matters too. An architectural shingle roof in the Atlanta climate typically lasts somewhere around twenty to twenty five years. If yours is in that range and showing wear, get a real assessment before winter rather than letting a leak set the timing. Our roofing team will tell you plainly which side of that line you are on.
Note: If you had hail or a strong storm this year, check your homeowners policy for the claim deadline. Hail damage is easy to miss from the ground, and many policies limit how long after the storm you can file. An inspection with photos protects you either way.
Cabinet Finishes
Explore Our Door Finishes
Shaker HazelnutView finish
Shaker Natural WoodView finish
Shaker IvywoodView finish
Oakley Sage GreenView finish
Everest Slim Shaker WhiteView finish
Oakley Tawny BrownView finish
Cambridge SableView finish
Tempo Dark WildernessView finishShaker HazelnutView finishShaker Natural WoodView finishShaker IvywoodView finishOakley Sage GreenView finishEverest Slim Shaker WhiteView finishOakley Tawny BrownView finishCambridge SableView finishTempo Dark WildernessView finishRoofing Solutions
Get Your Roof Ready for Winter
We inspect the roof, the flashing, the gutters and the attic, send you photos of what we find, and give you a clear price for any repairs before the cold rain starts. Marietta and Metro Atlanta.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Roof Inspections
Once a year is a good habit, and fall is the best time for it. Also after hail, high wind or a fallen limb, even if nothing looks wrong from the ground.
On a single story home with a stable ladder, many homeowners do. On a two story home or a steep roof, the risk is not worth it. Gutter guards reduce how often it needs doing but do not remove the need entirely.
A proper one covers the shingles, flashing, pipe boots, valleys, gutters, roof edge and attic, with photos of anything that needs attention. You should come away knowing what is urgent, what can wait and what is fine.
Small repairs can happen most of the year in Georgia. Shingles seal best in warmer weather, so a full replacement is easiest from spring through fall, and winter work may need the tabs sealed by hand.
Usually not. Those streaks are typically algae, which is common in a humid climate like ours. They look bad but rarely shorten the life of the roof. Curling, cracking and bare spots are the signs that matter.
Keystone Extreme
Hi, we’re Keystone Extreme
Keystone Extreme Renovations is a licensed general contractor based in Marietta, Georgia, serving Metro Atlanta with full home renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, custom cabinets, countertops, flooring, and roofing. One source, one team, zero stress.
