The winter season is finally nearing its end, and with spring comes a long checklist for homeowners to complete to prepare for warmer weather. To ensure that your roof is ready for the next part of the year, read on to find out how to prepare your roof for spring!
Inspect Your Roof for Signs of Aging & Damage
Winter is a harsh season; pounding rain, dense snow, thick ice, relentless wind, and excess debris have whipped on, around, and past your roof for the past few months. It comes as no surprise that your roof may have sustained damage during the winter or, at the very least, is showing a bit more age. As soon as the poor weather clears, your roof should be inspected for possible damage or wear that may have occurred.
You can start simply by inspecting it from the ground and looking out for any visible signs of decay, such as loose shingles or tiles, gutters separated from the roof line, water overflowing the sides of the gutters, or even watermarks that may indicate sides of leakage. In some cases, you may need to go onto your roof and look at its various features and verify if anything needs repairing or replacing.
Pro Tip: Always have a buddy for roof inspections. Never get on a roof solo; it’s dangerous. Always have a buddy present or hire a professional.
Power Wash Your Roof
While inspecting your roof for signs of aging or damage, take this time to give it a good power wash. This will help ensure that the surface is clean from dirt, leaves, and other debris that had been gathered over the course of winter. As an added bonus, a clean roof helps with proper aeration, which helps keep moisture levels low within your home. As the water is washing off the roof, take notice of your gutters.
Clear Out Gutters & Downspouts
The gutters and downspouts round off vital areas of your roof in terms of protecting both the integrity of your home’s structure as well as keeping its contents dry on wetter days. Before springtime arrives, ensure all gutters and downspouts are cleared of any built-up leaves, twigs, moss, and other debris. If your gutters are damaged, it can quickly cause significant issues for your roofing, siding, and foundation. We recommend calling in a pro for repair if you identify any issues.
Check Flashing & Seals
A typical roofing issue is when flashing or sealing separate from the roof. These metal components are designed with grooves that form sealed joints where two different planes meet, such as when a wall is connected with a chimney flue, but these seals can easily become loosened due to weather changes throughout each season. When this happens, it can allow water to get where it shouldn’t, costing thousands of dollars in damage if not repaired promptly. Please take a closer look at these critical spots and make sure they remain solid in order to protect against moisture problems later down the line. If they are damaged, you will need to call in a professional to get them repaired ASAP.
Taking an afternoon to perform these steps will ensure you prepare your roof properly heading into springtime. After implementing these tips, you’ll feel proud knowing that your home has had a thorough spring cleaning – literally!