Winter can wreak havoc on your roof, which is why spring roof maintenance is so important. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends that you conduct roof maintenance at least twice a year, typically in the spring and in the fall. This can help you keep your roof in good condition for as long as possible, and catch any potential problems while they’re still in their early stages, so it is easier to repair them.
Routine maintenance is crucial to keeping your roof in good condition. Here’s what you need to know about how you can conduct some basic spring roof maintenance so that you can do just that.
#1. Remove Any Debris
It’s easy for debris to accumulate on your roof, especially during the winter months when there’s all that snow that can trap it there. This includes things such as leaves, branches, pine needles, and more. As such, you want to include cleaning away debris as part of your spring roof maintenance. Debris not only makes your home look uncared for and unkempt, but it can also cause damage to your roof over time.
#2. Clean Your Gutters
This spring roof maintenance tip goes hand-in-hand with the previous one. You don’t just want to remove debris from your roof as a whole, but also your gutters. As previously mentioned, it’s easy for debris to build up in your gutters. The last thing you want is clogged gutters, because if they’re clogged, water can’t drain off of your roof properly. This can result in serious water damage to your roof and home’s structure over time.
You can clean your gutters by getting on a ladder and scooping out any debris with your gloved hand or with a tool. You can then flush the residual bits out with a hose, and then take care of the downspouts. Ensure that you’re exercising proper safety precautions whenever you’re using a ladder, as it can be quite risky.
#3. Trim Your Trees
Tree branches can cause serious damage to your roof. Not only can they scrape your shingle and dislodge them, but if they fall on your roof, this can result in damages like punctures. Overhanging trees also cast shade on your roof, which can then lead to mold growth. You’ll want to trim your trees back to ensure that they don’t have any branches hanging over your roof that could damage it in any way.
#4. Watch For Any Missing Elements
During the winter, parts of your roof can get dislodged and then go missing, due to the weather. You’ll want to check your roof for any such missing elements, such as shingles, vents, or flashing. If any are missing, this impacts your roofing structure and the protection of your home. You’ll want to call a roofer to come out and repair the damage as soon as possible, because it gets the chance to worsen.
#5. Schedule A Professional Roof Inspection
This is the most important spring roof maintenance tip you can use. Too many of us assume that our roofs are fine and in good shape because from the ground, it looks that way. However, given how high up roofs are, it’s very easy to miss problems unless you inspect them up close. It can be very dangerous to try to get on your roof yourself without the proper training and equipment, and plus, if you are not a professional, you likely won’t know what you’re supposed to be looking for.
As such, an essential part of spring roof maintenance is to schedule a professional roof inspection. Professional roof contractors have the training, expertise, and equipment needed in order to notice any issues with your roof. Some of the roofing problems that roofing contractors will look for include:
- Leaks
- Pooled water
- Punctures
- Shrinkage
- Blistering/cracking
- Tree damage
- Snow and/or ice damage
- Damaged or clogged gutters
Many homeowners choose to just hire a professional for their spring roof maintenance because they are not comfortable climbing up on ladders and because they know that professionals will get the job done right.
The Importance Of Spring Roof Maintenance
You don’t want to overlook spring roof maintenance. Lack of maintenance is a common reason behind many roof problems. Simply by conducting routine maintenance, you can ensure that any roof problems are caught and handled properly before they get the chance to escalate into far more serious issues.
Lifetime Roofing can help you with your spring roof maintenance. We offer maintenance packages to help homeowners keep their roofs in good condition. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your roof last for years to come.
