Leaves... How They Can Cause A Nightmare!

Now that fall is among us we can enjoy seeing all of the green trees turn to  beautiful red, orange and yellow colors. As breathtaking as the change can be we must keep a watchful eye as to where these beauties fall. 

1) Leaves and pinestraw bedding       into roof valleys.

    A) pinestraw and leaves tend to collect in areas where a roofs pitch changes or where one plane meets another. In this picture you can see how the straw has collected in the small valleys behind the chimney. You can also see how the straw has collected in the crease where the steep 10/12 pitch meets the small 4/12 pitch. 

    B) when this collection occurs it is very possible that you will find leaks you never knew existed. When it rains the straw and leaves become saturated and as the sun may dry the top layer the bottom remains wet. This moisture can find its way in between the flaps of the shingles and onto your ceilings causing those ugly yellowish brown stains.

     C) as it continues to rain the straw and leaves act as a dam to the flowing rain water. Instead of the water being able to quickly flow across the top of the shingles, it in turn slows and is able to find the spaces between the tabs of the shingles and again, onto your ceilings causing the stains.

2) Over filled gutters

    A) clogged gutters can also cause problems that can be easily averted. The clogging acts, again, as a dam that prevents the water from flowing down through the downspout and out away from the house. Instead, the water rises and rises and begins to overflow. The water begins to spill over the back of the gutter and down the front of the facia (between the gutter and the wood that it is attached to). If the problem isn't corrected quickly the facia begins to rot and in turn allows water to start seeping onto the soffit (the horizontal wood under the gutter) and eventually into the home on the ceilings and walls. 

Here are some examples of what God's beautiful creation can ultimately cause if not tended to.

We recommend having you gutters cleaned often (especially in the fall months), or have gutter guards installed. If you notice a collection of leaves and pinestraw in those common areas, sweep or blow them away. With a little maintenance you can keep your roof leak free!