- Hilary Young
Spring Cleaning Time!
Spring cleaning for us doesn’t just mean opening those windows and giving the house a good scrub. It also means taking care of our roofs!
It’s really important to check your roof after the damaging months of winter. There are some things you can do on your own (safely!) – looking from the ground or on a ladder – to protect the health of your roof.
Things like:
Inspect and clean out your gutters.
Use a sturdy ladder – it doesn’t hurt to have someone else with you for extra safety to hold the bottom. After winter, your gutters can be clogged with debris. If you don’t keep the gutters unclogged, your shingles, soffit, fascia and siding are more likely to get damaged. If possible, clean out the debris. While you’re there, check the state of your gutters – make sure there’s no sagging or holes and that the fasteners are still intact. Look for general wear and tear – for example, rust.
Check out your downspout.
This is possibly the most important thing to inspect and take care of. Use a plumber’s snake or hose to unclog it if it’s backed up. You may have to take it apart and re-set it, depending on the length of the downspout and where the clog is located. If water isn’t draining properly off your roof through the downspout, it can lead to many problems – including leaks, dams, damaged gutters, soffit, fascia, etc.
Look for missing, curling, or blistering shingles.
If you spot these from the ground or on your ladder, it’s time to get a roofer there to replace these shingles to prevent leaks into your home.
Check for signs of mold on your shingles.
If mold exists, those shingles may need to be replaced. Mold and mildew are easier to fix when discovered early.
Check indoors for signs of water damage and mold.
Mold and mildew can often be identified by smell. This indicates you most likely have a leak that needs to be repaired to prevent any further interior damage.
Trim the tree branches hanging over your roof.
This helps keep debris out of gutters. Also, low-hanging branches can cause shingle/roof damage.
Check in your attic for holes in your roof.
These will need to be repaired to prevent leaks and to keep critters from making their home in your attic!
If you do venture onto your roof, make sure you’re comfortable with the steepness and that it’s not wet – this will make your roof very slippery! Walking on your roof can cause premature damage and granule loss that professionals know how to avoid. While you’re there, blow off all debris on your roof to prevent future issues. Debris in the valleys can cause a water dam and not allow water to drain off the roof properly. If you have any hesitation, please call a professional to inspect/service your roof.
Professional Roof Inspection:
If you do not want to do any of this yourself – we don’t blame you! Consider getting a roof inspection once a year to maintain the health of your roof. A professional will be able to replace moldy, missing, blistered or curling shingles. He or she can also apply sealant around penetrations in your roof – around pipe boots, vents, etc. A pro will be able to safely and expertly get rid of debris on your roof to prevent future damage.
As always, Georgia Roof Advisors provides free inspections for homeowners. We also offer a Preventative Maintenance Plan that addresses these yearly roofing issues.
However you decide to take care of your roof this spring, please do so safely, and reach out if you have any questions! Happy Spring!
We’re not your average roofing company.