5 Essential Fall Roof Maintenance Tasks for Illinois Homeowners

Maintenance Now = No Leaks Later

While an inspection tells you what is wrong with your roof, fall roof maintenance is about doing the work to keep it right.

In Peoria and Central Illinois, our roofs take a beating from two specific things in autumn:

1. Heavy Leaf Drop: Our mature Oak and Maple trees drop thousands of pounds of debris.

2. Moss & Algae: The humidity from the Illinois River valley promotes growth that eats away at shingles.

If you skip maintenance in October, you will likely be paying for repairs in March. Here are the 5 essential tasks every homeowner needs to tackle before the snow flies.

1. The “6-Foot” Tree Trimming Rule

Overhanging branches are your roof’s worst enemy.

• The Abrasion Risk: In a winter windstorm, a branch rubbing against your roof acts like sandpaper, stripping the granules off your shingles in hours.

• The Rodent Highway: Branches touching your roof are a bridge for squirrels and raccoons to access your attic.

• The Task: Trim back any branches that are within 6 feet of your roofline. If the limb is large, hire a professional arborist to prevent it from falling on the house while cutting.

2. Remove Moss and Algae (The Right Way)

Have you noticed green fuzzy patches or black streaks on your north-facing roof slopes? That is moss and algae, and it holds moisture against your shingles like a wet sponge. In winter, this moisture freezes and cracks the shingle.

• What NOT to do: Never pressure wash your roof. It will strip the protective granules instantly.

• The Fix: According to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), you should use a mixture of 50/50 bleach and water. Spray it on gently, let it sit for 20 minutes, and rinse with a garden hose (low pressure).

3. Debris Removal (Beyond the Gutters)

Everyone knows to clean the gutters, but what about the valleys? The “valley” is the V-shaped channel where two roof slopes meet. In autumn, leaves pile up here.

• The Danger: If wet leaves sit in a valley all winter, they rot. This rotting organic matter produces acid that breaks down asphalt, and the pile acts as a dam that forces melting snow under your shingles.

• The Task: Use a leaf blower (from the ladder or ground) to clear all valleys. Avoid using a rake, which can snag on shingle edges.

4. Check Your “Drip Edge”

The drip edge is the metal flashing that runs along the edge of your roof, directing water into the gutter.

• The Maintenance: Look at where the drip edge meets the gutter. Is it loose? Is there a gap?

• Why it matters: If the drip edge is loose, water will run behind the gutter and rot your fascia board (the wood behind the gutter). Secure it with a small roofing nail or call us to re-secure it.

5. Secure Loose Flashing

Flashing is the metal sealing around your chimney and vents. Winter winds love to rip loose flashing right off the roof.

• The Check: From the ground (with binoculars) or a safe ladder position, look for metal pieces that are flapping or sticking up.

• The Fix: This usually requires a professional to re-caulk or re-nail. A quick fix now prevents a massive leak during a January blizzard.

Too High? Too Steep? Let Us Handle It.

Fall roof maintenance often requires walking on slippery, pitched surfaces. If you aren’t comfortable on a ladder, don’t risk injury.

SNS Roofing offers comprehensive maintenance packages. We will clear the debris, seal the pipes, and check the flashing so you can enjoy the holidays worry-free.

Get your roof winter-ready. Contact SNS Roofing today to schedule your fall maintenance service.