Your roof protects you and your home. Maintaining the roof is an important spring home maintenance chore. Use these spring roof maintenance tips to prolong the lifespan of your roofing system.
Inspect the Roof
Wind storms, snow, heavy rain – a roof can go through a lot during one winter. Inspect the roof for damage. It will give you an idea of what kind of shape the roof is currently in and whether or not immediate repairs are required.
Unless it’s absolutely necessary to climb onto the roof, the safest way to check for missing roof tiles, damaged roofing shingles, damp patches, and moss growth is from a ladder using binoculars. Assess how much debris has collected on the roof – it is advisable to sweep it away before cleaning the gutters in the spring.
If the roof hasn’t had a professional roof inspection in the last two years, consider having one done this year. A roof contractor will look for things that a home inspection might not reveal.
If You have an Attic
Check the attic to ensure it has been properly insulated. Also look for signs of water damage caused either by failing plumbing or roof leaks. A well-insulated attic stops heat from escaping and causing ice dams in the winter or when temperatures dip below freezing.
Check the Flashings
Installations on the roof itself require flashings to prevent water from getting in between the flashing and the structure built into the roof. They are typically placed around chimneys, fan vents, plumbing vents, dormer windows, sun roofs, and sun tunnels. Inspect the flashings for red streaks (oxidization), loose or broken hardware, and curled edges.
Repair All Damage
Take note of the roof repairs you need to make. Prioritize – list the ones you can DIY and the ones you’ll be hiring a professional roofing contractor to fix. Issues such as a large number of missing shingles, roof leaks, and sagging areas are red flags, and it’s best to deal with them before winter arrives.
Moss Removal
If your roof inspection reveals significant moss growth, it should be removed. Moss weighs a roof down, which can eventually lead to expensive structural damage.
To get rid of the moss, you can apply a bleach/water/mild detergent solution to the affected areas. It might require two or more applications before the moss disappears.
Hire a professional to remove the moss when you feel unsafe working on the roof for extended periods of time; the house is large; or the roof is steep.
Get the Gutters Cleaned
Make sure the gutter system is clear of leaves, debris, nests, and other strange things like baseballs and children’s toys. The best time to gutter clean is mid-to-late spring once blossoms have faded.
Clean the downspouts. Check the downpipes to make sure they are firmly secured to exterior walls. If they are not properly fastened, shifting downspouts can encourage blockages to form that in turn can cause damage to roofing shingles when gutters overflow.
Trim Trees
Trim the trees that grow on your property, especially ones growing next to the house. Cutting back branches and removing dead tree limbs will reduce the chance of trees damaging your roof during a storm or as they grow older. Trimming trees growing on the property will reduce the amount of debris landing on the roof and getting into the gutters.
