Q: When is the best time to perform an annual roof inspection? Can you give some pointers about what to look for during an inspection?

A: The best time is before it rains! However, we find summer and fall to be most the prudent seasons to inspect and repair the roof. In other words, don’t wait to do roofing work after the first rain of winter. Roofing contractors will be very busy then, and costs may increase or you may have to wait in line for a contractor to become available. Inspect the roof during the summer and fall and attend to the work before it becomes an emergency situation.

During the roof inspection, pay close attention to the flashing. Flashing is used to transition between the roofing material and the building or a change in roofing direction or angle. Flashing also can be found where pipes or a chimney come up through the roof. The flashing is sealed with roofing tar. Water leaks can form when the sealing tar cracks or separates from the building or the flashing material. Look for curled up roof edges on composition roofs, low spots on flat roofs and bird nests within tile roofs. Check all roof drains and cut away any tree branches that are touching or overhanging the roof. While inspecting the roof, check the gutters. Winter storms have a way of loosening gutters and filling them with gunk, thereby causing them to lose their pitch and pool water. Pooling or overflowing gutters can deteriorate fascia boards and siding.

Q: It won’t be long before much of the country shifts to daylight saving time and moves its clocks forward one hour for the winter. I’m a bit concerned about the lights at my apartment building. I have various fixtures, sensors and timers, not one of which turns on the lights at the same time. Any advice?

A: There are two ways to effectively control exterior lighting:

1: A timer clock.

2: A photocell for detecting light and dark Both have been around it seems forever.

We prefer to activate landscape lighting with a photocell because it is virtually maintenance-free.

A photocell ensures that the property has light only when it is needed and that it is turned off automatically with the approach of daylight. Be sure the photocell is located where it can “see” ambient light and not near an artificial light source, which could create unnecessary reactions.

A time clock needs constant attention to keep up with the changing seasons. It must be adjusted for longer or shorter nights.

There is nothing more frustrating than seeing the property fully lit up at 5 p.m. when it doesn’t become dark until 7 p.m. Or worse: Seeing that the lights turn on at 7 p.m. on nights when it becomes dark at 5 p.m.

Have a question? Contact Jerry L’Ecuyer at Buffalo Maintenance at [email protected] or 714-778-0480.