The sweet smell of spring means warm weather is on the horizon and it’s time to plan accordingly. Along with planning summer fun, spring is a common time for homeowners to hit the reset button and get their property in tip-top shape. Standard projects include cleaning, landscaping, decorating and organizing storage spaces. We at MLM believe roof maintenance is an equally important and essential component of one’s springtime housekeeping regiment. Winter can be a roof’s greatest test, making spring the ideal time to run through a checklist of maintenance tips. These four considerations will help your home and family transition at the beginning of every spring.
1. Clean and secure your gutters.
Chances are you spent little time monitoring the exterior of your home during the winter. At the minimum, leaves and twigs may have accumulated in your gutters and created a clog. Even worse, strong winds and winter precipitation may have stripped the gutters from your home. Unfastened gutters are not only a safety hazard; they are less effective in their role of draining water away from the foundation of your home.
Clearing your gutters early in the spring will prepare them for the heavy seasons of rainfall ahead. Confident DIY-ers can complete this task with a ladder (and partner), garden hose and some elbow grease. However, if there is major clogging or loosening between your gutters and house, we recommend bringing in a trusted, local contractor who will get the job done safely.
2. Trim tree limbs and branches that touch your roof.
Trees that touch your roof can shorten its lifespan and increase the risk of a sudden puncture. As branches sway in the wind, they can graze your shingles and scrape off protective granules. Therefore, it is important to trim branches before they grow larger and apply more pressure to your roof. As a bonus, trimming branches will expose your roof to more sunlight and reduce moisture levels. This will prevent the growth of moss, which is too heavy for your roof to host safely.
3. Inspect the ceiling of your attic for signs of deterioration. By noticing warning signs early, you’ll be able to address any issue before your roof falls victim to serious, costly damage. The easiest way to do so is by inspecting your attic ceiling for signs of moisture. Cracks, discoloration or sagging are signs that water has infiltrated your shingles and begun decaying the structure of your home. Especially common if your roof experienced snowfall over the winter, these situations are much easier – and cheaper – to address before water seeps into your attic.
If you notice a leak, set up a professional consultation as you may need a more involved repair or a full roof replacement.
4. Schedule a roof inspection with a trusted, local contractor. A healthy attic ceiling does not necessarily mean your roof made it through the winter unscathed. Each spring, schedule a roof inspection with a contractor, backed by a national manufacturer like Owens Corning, who can detect damage unbeknown to the untrained eye. Annual roof inspections play a critical role in the upkeep of your home, not dissimilar to cleaning your chimney or replacing your air filters. Addressing minor roof damage early will keep your home safe and save you from costly repairs down the road.
