As the weather gets warmer and winter gives way to spring, many of us are undoubtedly looking forward to doing some spring cleaning. This is the perfect time to clean out the garage, tidy up the house and make plans for the garden. As you go about making these plans, don’t forget that your roof needs some attention too.
Your roof has been doing a great job of protecting your house and keeping you warm through the winter and now it’s time to give it some care. This helps increase its lifespan so it can continue giving you excellent service for many more years to come.
But just how do you go about doing a spring clean on your roof?
To help you, we have compiled this roof spring cleaning checklist:
Tackle the gutters.
The first stage in spring cleaning your roof involves cleaning the gutters. Sure you may have done this in the fall but chances are more debris has accumulated in the gutters since then. Cleaning out the rotting leaves, small twigs and branches, and other assorted debris from the gutter might seem like boring, thankless work but it’s crucial to maintaining the integrity of your roof. Clogged gutters don’t drain water away and standing water on the roof might lead to leakage and other problems.
To start off, begin by clearing out any visible debris from the gutters. Next, deal with the downspout. This may be more challenging to clean but it’s vital to leading away water from your home so it needs to be in good working condition. You can use a hose or plumber’s snake to ensure it’s well cleaned. Finally, check for any exterior damage, sagging parts, and missing fasteners on the gutters and downspout.
Inspect the Roof.
After the gutters, it’s time to move to the roof itself. Here’s where you check for loose shingles as well as inspect the flashing. Shingles are your roof’s first line of defense and any damage is due to affect the roof. Look out for the following:
- Missing, broken, or cracked shingles –these weak spots provide passage for water to get into your house, potentially causing untold damage.
- Blistering shingles – this happens due to moisture getting trapped in shingles. Left unchecked, blistered shingles can burst and lead to further roof damage.
- Curling shingles – this occurs because of poor installation or ventilation. Get shingles with curled edges fixed as soon as you notice them.
- Stained shingles – stained or streaked shingles indicate water leakage or damage to the roof’s ventilation system and should be checked out early on.
Check for mold.
The next step is to inspect your roof for mold or mildew. These grow in damp areas and are easy to get rid of if noticed early. However, if left to spread, mold can seep into the interior of your home causing untold damage and health issues. If you suspect that mold or mildew has already spread extensively, call in roofing professionals for a more thorough roof inspection and advice on what to do.
Trim nearby branches.
Overhanging tree branches and limbs that encroach on your roof pose a danger to its integrity. Such branches can fall, cracking or damaging the shingles, exposing your roof to leakage. The best thing to do is to trim them in the spring before they come into full bloom. If you don’t have the proper equipment for this on hand, it’s best to leave the job to professionals. The added advantage of trimming branches is that you’ll have fewer leaves clogging up your gutters.
Remember to check inside as well
Your roof inspection isn’t complete until you check your home’s interior. Go to the attic and check around for signs of leakage and water damage. This includes wet spots on the floor, brown stains, or mold on the walls. Also, look up and see if there’s any light seeping into the attic from gaps in the shingles. Should you notice any issues, hire Georgia roofing contractors like Christian Brothers to deal with them before they develop into larger problems down the road.
Inspect for general deterioration.
Your roof is constantly at the mercy of the elements so it’s only a matter of time before it shows signs of wear and tear. Check for obvious signs of deterioration such as rust on the gutters, sagging parts on the roof or fascia board, missing fasteners, or cracked and damaged shingles. Ensure that these are dealt with as soon as they are noticed to save you time and money.
Schedule a professional inspection.
Overall, giving your roof a spring clean may be time-consuming but not too difficult. However, no matter how thorough you are sometimes some of the damage to your roof can’t be seen. It’s easy to miss certain roofing problems if you’re not trained to identify them. Additionally, it is dangerous for you to go clambering on your roof without the proper training and equipment.
That is why it’s advisable to hire roofing professionals who know what they are doing. Roofing professionals from Christian Brothers Roofing have the requisite expertise and experience necessary to provide you with a range of comprehensive roofing services. This includes roof inspection, roof repair, and maintenance, fixing hail and other storm damage as well as roof replacement. We have been providing roofing services for the residents of Georgia for over 3 decades and have built up a name for ourselves in the community and our clients have come to trust us for all their roofing needs.
So if you’re in need of roofing services in Georgia –whether a storm blew some shingles away, you suspect your roof is leaking, or just need roofing experts to give your roof a comprehensive inspection- get in touch with us. Our rates are affordable and we guarantee that you’ll be satisfied with our services. Call Christian Roofing Brothers today at 1-770-734-6700 to learn how we can solve your roofing problems.