A fall roof maintenance checklist is the simplest way to get your home ready for an Ottawa and Gatineau winter. Once snow covers the roof, small problems are hard to see and harder to fix, and the freeze-thaw cycles that follow can turn a loose shingle or a cracked seal into a ceiling stain by February. A few hours of checks in October or early November, plus a professional inspection where needed, can prevent most winter roof emergencies. This checklist covers what to look at from the ground, what to leave to a roofer, and how to plan ahead.
Clean and Check the Gutters After the Leaves Fall
Gutters are the first item on any fall checklist. Leaves, needles and shingle granules collect in the troughs and block the downspouts. When the gutters freeze full of debris, meltwater has nowhere to go and can back up at the roof edge. Clean, flowing gutters keep that water moving away from the roof edge and the foundation.
- Clear debris from troughs and downspouts once most leaves have fallen.
- Run water through the system and confirm it flows out of each downspout.
- Look for joints that drip, troughs that sag, or water marks behind the gutter.
- Make sure downspout extensions send water away from the foundation.
If your gutters leak at several joints or pull away from the fascia, fall is a good time to replace them. Cossette installs seamless aluminum gutters formed on site in one length, so there are fewer joints to fail.
Look at the Shingles From the Ground
You do not need to climb a ladder to spot most shingle problems. Use binoculars from the yard, or look from an upstairs window. CAA-Quebec’s guide to evaluating your roof describes the warning signs to look for, including broken shingles, upturned edges and loose flashing. Check for:
- Missing, cracked or curled shingles, especially after summer storms.
- Bare patches where the granules have worn away.
- Lifted edges along the ridge and the roof edges, where wind does the most damage.
- Dark streaks or moss in shaded areas.
Leave repairs on the roof to a professional. Wet leaves and early frost make roofs slippery in fall. Take photos of anything that looks wrong, so you can show the roofer exactly what you saw and compare it again next spring.
Check Flashing and Caulking Around Chimneys, Vents and Skylights
Flashing and caulking are where many winter leaks begin. In winter, snow piles up against chimneys and skylights and melts slowly, so any gap in the seal gets hours of standing water. Look for flashing that has lifted or rusted, and for caulking that has cracked or pulled away. Cossette’s residential services include caulking renewal around chimneys, plumbing vents and skylights. Learn more about who can fix flashing around a chimney or skylight on a Gatineau home.
Inspect the Attic Before the Cold Arrives
The attic is one of the most useful places to check in fall. On a dry day, take a flashlight into the attic and look for:
- Water stains, dark spots or mould on the underside of the roof boards.
- Daylight showing through the roof, other than at vents.
- Wet, flattened or uneven insulation.
- Insulation pushed against the soffits, blocking airflow from the eaves.
- Gaps around the attic hatch, light fixtures and plumbing stacks where warm air could leak in.
Warm, moist air leaking into the attic is a major cause of winter frost and ice dams. Sealing those gaps and keeping soffit vents clear before winter makes a real difference. Cossette offers attic inspection and ventilation correction as part of its residential services.
Check Soffits, Fascia and Roof Vents
The roof edge takes a beating from water and weather. From the ground, look for fascia boards that are stained, soft or peeling, and soffit panels that are loose, bent or blocked. Pests often get in where the fascia and soffit meet. Make sure roof vents are intact and not damaged by wind or animals. Rot at the fascia often means water has been running behind the gutter, so check both together.
Clear the Drains on Flat Roofs
Flat roofs need extra attention in fall, because water drains slowly and freezes in place. Clear leaves and debris from drains and scuppers so meltwater can escape. Look for areas where water ponds after rain, and for seams that have lifted. For commercial buildings, Cossette recommends a professional inspection at least twice a year, once in spring and once in fall before winter.
Trim Trees and Secure the Roof Area
Branches that hang over the roof drop leaves into gutters and can scrape shingles in the wind. Heavy, snow-loaded branches can also break and fall onto the roof in a winter storm. Have overhanging branches trimmed back before the snow. While you are at it, check that satellite dishes, antennas and anything else attached to the roof are firmly secured.
Make a Simple Winter Plan for Snow and Ice
Fall is also the time to decide what you will do when winter arrives, so you are not making choices on an icy roof in January. Start by noting where snow tends to pile up on your roof, such as valleys, low sections next to higher walls, and the area behind a chimney. Those are the spots to watch during heavy snowfalls.
Agree as a household that nobody will climb onto a snowy or icy roof. Falls from roofs are a real risk in winter. If snow builds up heavily, especially on a flat roof, call a professional rather than shovelling it yourself.
Finally, learn the warning signs that need a call: a thick ridge of ice along the eaves, large icicles combined with water stains inside, sagging ceilings, or doors upstairs that suddenly stick. Any of these can point to ice dams or a heavy snow load and should be checked quickly.
Book a Professional Roof Inspection Before the Snow
The final step on the checklist is a professional inspection, especially if your roof is older, you found anything on this list, or the roof took a hit from a summer storm. A roofer can safely check the roof surface, flashing and attic, and tell you what needs fixing before winter and what can wait until spring. Cossette Roofing offers a free, no-obligation evaluation and written quote across Ottawa, Gatineau, Hull, Aylmer, Kanata, Orléans, Embrun, Clarence-Rockland, Cornwall and the Outaouais.
Keep Cossette’s number handy for the winter too. The company offers 24/7 emergency roofing service, 365 days a year, for water infiltration, ice dams and snow overload at 819-777-7177.
Experience matters here. Cossette has worked through more than 20 Outaouais winters since 2005 and served more than 10,000 clients, so its team knows which spots tend to fail first in the cold. A Cantley homeowner wrote in a Google review (in French) that they deeply appreciated the team’s professionalism, expertise and attentiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I do fall roof maintenance in Ottawa and Gatineau?
The best time is after most leaves have fallen but before the first lasting snowfall, usually from October to early November. That gives you time to book any repairs while the roof is still clear.
Can I clean my own gutters safely?
Many homeowners do, using a stable ladder and a helper. If your home is two storeys or more, or the ground is uneven, it is safer to hire a professional. Never work on the roof itself when it is wet or frosty.
What roof repairs should be done before winter?
Fix loose or missing shingles, lifted flashing, cracked caulking, leaking gutters and any attic air leaks before winter. These small problems are much easier to repair in fall than after snow and ice arrive.
Does a flat roof need different fall maintenance?
Yes. Flat roofs drain slowly, so clearing drains and scuppers and checking for ponding water and lifted seams are the top priorities. Commercial flat roofs should be professionally inspected each fall before winter.
Is a fall roof inspection free with Cossette Roofing?
Yes. Cossette Roofing offers a free, no-obligation evaluation and written quote for residential and commercial roofing projects in Ottawa, Gatineau and the Outaouais. Call 819-777-7177 to book.
Summary
A fall roof check is the best defence against winter roof emergencies in Ottawa and Gatineau. Clean the gutters, look over the shingles from the ground, check flashing, soffits and fascia, and inspect the attic for moisture and air leaks. Clear flat roof drains, trim overhanging branches and plan how you will handle snow and ice. Finish with a professional inspection so any repairs are done before the snow arrives.
Key Takeaways
- Clean and test gutters after the leaves fall so meltwater can drain in winter.
- Check shingles from the ground and leave work on the roof to a professional.
- Inspect flashing, caulking, soffits and fascia, where many winter leaks start.
- Look in the attic for stains, wet insulation and air leaks that lead to frost and ice dams.
- Clear flat roof drains, trim overhanging branches and secure rooftop equipment.
Need help with your roof? Call Cossette Roofing at 819-777-7177 or request your free estimate.