Fall Home Maintenance

Professional Services We Perform

1. Roof Inspection & Debris Removal

Why Roof Maintenance is Critical in the West Valley:

Arizona roofs endure punishment unlike anywhere else. Six months of 160°F+ surface temperatures, monsoon winds, dust storms, intense UV exposure, and thermal cycling cause damage that goes unnoticed until leaks appear. Fall is the ideal time to inspect and address roof issues before winter rains (yes, we get them!) cause interior damage.

Benefits:

Prevent Leaks: Roof leaks cause an average of $7,500 in interior damage. Early detection and repair costs $200-500.
Extend Roof Life: Arizona tile roofs should last 50+ years, shingle roofs 20-25 years. Neglect cuts this by 30-40%.
Insurance Claims: Many homeowner policies require annual roof maintenance. Our documented service proves compliance.
Energy Efficiency: Proper roof ventilation reduces cooling costs by 15-20%.
Pest Prevention & Property Value Preservation.

What We Do:

Tile Roof Inspection (Most Common in West Valley):

Walk entire roof surface safely with proper equipment
Remove bird nests from tile openings
Clear debris, leaves, and foreign objects from tile channels
Check for cracked, broken, or displaced tiles
Inspect underlayment visibility, flashing, penetrations, ridge caps, and valleys
Photograph concerns and verify proper tile overlap and placement

Flat & Shingle Sections:

Inspect membrane, ponding, parapet walls, penetrations, HVAC mounting, and ventilation
Check for missing or damaged shingles, granule loss, nail pops, and flashing issues

Local Insight: Dust storms, extreme heat damage, pigeon infestations, and thermal cycling are West Valley-specific roof threats. Underlayment visibility in older neighborhoods often signals imminent replacement needs.

2. Rain Gutter & Downspout Cleaning and Repair

Why Gutter Maintenance Matters in the Desert:

Many people think, "We're in the desert—why do gutters matter?" Arizona's monsoons deliver more rain in one storm than Seattle gets in a month. Without functioning gutters, this water cascades off your roof, eroding soil around your foundation, flooding landscaping, and causing foundation movement in our expansive soil.

Benefits:

Foundation Protection: Improperly diverted water causes foundation settling, cracking, and movement. Repairs cost $5,000-$30,000.
Prevent Flooding and Landscape Damage.
Mosquito Prevention: Standing water in clogged gutters breeds mosquitoes.
Extend Gutter Life and Prevent Staining.

What We Do:

Complete Gutter Cleaning & Downspout Service:

Remove all leaves, debris, and sediment from gutters
Clear downspout openings and snake downspouts as needed
Flush gutters with water; remove bird nests and wasp nests
Bag and remove debris from property
Check hangers, brackets, slope, seams, end caps, and attachment to fascia
Perform minor repairs, test flow, and ensure water diverts at least 6 feet from foundation
Photograph concerns and recommend repairs or gutter guard options

West Valley Specific Issues: Palo Verde and mesquite debris, dusty sediment that hardens when wet, undersized builder gutters, monsoon aftermath, and UV sun damage to gutter materials.

3. Exterior Door, Window & Sliding Glass Door Maintenance

Why Exterior Sealing Matters in Arizona:

Arizona's temperature extremes, dust infiltration, and UV exposure destroy weather stripping, caulking, and seals faster than any other climate. Gaps that start at 1/16 inch in year one become 1/4 inch gaps by year five, allowing dust, heat, and energy loss. Fall is the perfect time to address this before winter and the holidays.

Benefits:

Energy Savings: Properly sealed doors and windows reduce HVAC costs by 10-25%.
Dust Reduction: Proper sealing reduces interior dust by 40-60%.
Comfort, Noise Reduction, Pest Prevention, and Improved Security.

What We Do:

Exterior Door Service:

Inspect all exterior doors, check weather stripping on all four sides
Replace torn/degraded weather stripping, lubricate hinges, tighten screws
Adjust strike plates, tighten knobs and deadbolts, test locks
Replace door sweeps, inspect thresholds, and check for warping or sun damage

Window & Sliding Door Maintenance:

Inspect windows for operation, clean weep holes, lubricate tracks, test locks
Clean sliding door tracks, vacuum debris, lubricate rollers, adjust roller height
Replace weather stripping, recaulk frames with Arizona-rated caulk, test panel alignment

West Valley Specific Challenges: Weather stripping failure, sliding door track issues from dust, dual-pane seal failures, stucco cracking, and security screen maintenance are common local problems. Recaulking with heat/UV-resistant materials is crucial.

Fall FAQs

Yes. By the time interior damage appears the roof issue often existed for months. Fall inspection catches monsoon and summer heat damage before winter rains cause interior repairs.

Annually at minimum; twice yearly (spring and fall) for homes older than 15 years. Arizona's extreme thermal cycling accelerates underlayment and tile wear.

Cleaning often solves clogs, but overflow can indicate undersized gutters, improper slope, or insufficient downspouts. We'll diagnose and recommend fixes if needed.

Absolutely! While annual rainfall is low, monsoons deliver heavy storms. Proper gutters divert water away from foundations and landscaping, preventing costly foundation movement and erosion.

Look for visible cracks, pulling, hard brittle texture, discoloration, water stains below caulked areas, or dust infiltration. In Arizona, inspect annually and replace every 3-5 years with heat/UV rated caulk.

Usually, yes. Most sticky sliding doors need track cleaning and lubrication. If cleaning isn't enough, roller adjustment or replacement typically restores smooth operation.

Yes—scorpions can enter through tiny gaps. Proper weather stripping, door sweeps, sealing exterior cracks, and maintaining screens help prevent entry. We include weather-strip checks during fall service.

We can install some gutter guard types as an add-on. For permanent solutions we often refer specialist installers. Guards reduce maintenance but still require occasional cleaning.

Home inspectors look for visible defects from limited vantage points. Our fall service walks the roof (when safe), removes debris and nests, inspects tiles, flashing, underlayment visibility, and documents findings with photos for preventive maintenance.

Arizona sun damages exterior wood quickly. We inspect and document wood in need of treatment and can recommend painters. Typically exterior wood needs re-stain/paint every 3-5 years in this climate.