Spring Roof Maintenance Tips


Roofing maintenance is very important and should be performed regularly to lengthen the life of your roof. Without roof maintenance, your roof can incur leaks, mold, dry rot, and other serious problems. While regularity of maintenance is critical, springtime presents problems that summer and winter do not. Here are a few ways to deal with the maintenance challenges that springtime presents.

The winter months can be hard on your roof, so maintenance during the spring is imperative. Heavy snow and ice mixed with leaves from the fall season can lead to clogged and damaged gutters. Any damaged or clogged areas on your gutters should be repaired before spring storms hit. This will ensure you are ready for the heavy rains, protecting your home and its foundation.

If you have any overhanging tree limbs, trim them up while they are free of leaves. This will make the job easier, and it will prevent mold and moss growth on your roof once there is more moisture in the air.

Finally, simply examine your roof for any missing or damaged shingles, cracks, or leaks. Not addressing these issues before springtime can result in serious damage that will cost thousands of dollars to repair. If you spot any of these issues, contact a roofing professional for a more thorough inspection and repairs.

Fall Home Maintenance Tips


The fall months in Oklahoma bring tree color changes (and falling leaves), rain, and colder temperatures. This is a drastic change from the summer months of 100 degree temperatures and scorching sun. It can come as a shock to you as well as your home. Just like with the other seasons, the change in weather and landscape should be met with a maintenance plan for your home. Here are a few things you can do to keep your home in good shape this fall.

The most notable of these maintenance tips is to clean your gutters. The fall rain and winter precipitation will need to be drained from your roof. The falling leaves can easily clog your gutters and lead to overflow, which can damage your home’s foundation. Regularly clean your gutters this fall to keep them operating smoothly.

Having your roof inspected during the fall is also a good idea. Rain can creep through any crack, and the winter months can beat up an already damaged roof. A roof inspection will allow you to make any necessary repairs before the harsh weather begins.

Rake the leaves in your yard regularly. When large leaves sit in a yard, the damp and shady atmosphere they provide for your grass can kill the grass and lead to fungus and insect problems.

Finally, make repairs to or install screens over vents. As the temperatures get colder, animals will seek refuge in your attic. The presence of pests can cause diseases to spread throughout your home. Installing screens behind vents (especially gable vents) will help keep pests out.

Is Your Roof Ready for Winter?


Your roof encounters a lot of stress during the wintertime. This stress can include weight from ice and snow, ice dams, leaks, gutter damage, and more. With the right guidance, however, you can prepare your roof to handle to stress of the winter months.

One of the most practical ways to start readying your roof for the winter is to do an inspection at the end of fall. By inspecting your roof, you will be able to spot any damaged shingles, areas prone to leaks, or damaged or clogged gutters. If you spot any of these things in your inspection, you can make appropriate repairs.

If you find your gutters are clogged, clean them out. Clogged gutters will stop up water that may eventually freeze and cause ice dams, which can cause severe damage to your roof and home.

Make your inspection a professional inspection, if possible. A professional will be able to spot underlying problems and recommend a course of action to make sure your roof comes out of winter in good shape.

Proper Chimney Maintenance

Regular maintenance of a wood-burning fireplace and its chimney is of paramount importance for a homeowner. Chimneys with caked-on residue can negatively impact the health of your family and will also make house fires more likely. Part of regular chimney maintenance includes inspections.

A homeowner should have their chimney inspected about once a year. A yearly inspection will give the homeowner the opportunity to clean their chimney if need be as well as to make sure the chimney is in good shape. However, if you own a new fireplace or chimney, you should have it inspected further about halfway through the winter to make sure it is working properly.

Cleanings should be done once the buildup in your chimney reaches about 1/8”. Inspections and cleanings should be done by a trained professional to ensure these jobs are done properly and thoroughly. It can be tempting, as a homeowner, to want to work on projects on your own, but it is wise to leave this one to the professionals. Since poorly-functioning and dirty chimneys can lead to house fires and health defects in your family, ensuring the job is done right is in your family’s best interest.

The Effect of Frost on Your Garden

Most gardeners have witnessed how frost affects their gardens. One day your plants are growing and are producing fruits and vegetables, and they next day they are on the verge of dying. Frost can cause your plants to look brown, burnt, and dead. This is because the frost pulls moisture out of the plants, causing them to shrivel up and die. When you put so much effort into cultivating these plants, you want to protect them however you can. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to protect your plants when it frosts.

The best way to protect your plants from frost is to cover them in paper or cloth. These materials allow air to circulate while insulating your plants from the cold. Make sure to drape your coverings from the top of the plant all the way to the ground. This will ensure that warm air stays in with the plant throughout the night. On a side note, this best done using a frame so the plant does not have to support the weight of the covering. Lastly, remove the covering after temperatures have risen above freezing the next day. Taking these steps should extend the lives of your plants and keep them healthy through the fall and into early winter.

If you have any further questions regarding our maintenance tips, you can contact us at 918-404-5996.

Outdoor Creations Roofing is located at 1924 W Albany Street in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.