Spring Roof Maintenance 101

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Spring Roof Maintenance 101

Admin • March 20, 2020

After three long months of shoveling snow and knocking down icicles, every homeowner is anticipating the warmer days. However, spring is no time to relax! In fact, it is one of the busiest seasons for roofing repair and maintenance. Strong wind, low temperatures, and frequent freeze-thaw cycles can leave your roof damaged and run-down. So as soon as the spring rolls in, we recommend that you inspect every nook and cranny to locate weak spots and fix them before they turn into a bigger problem. Remember: timely preventative roof maintenance is key to protecting your property from water damage. Don’t know where to start? With our simple guide, you will be able to conduct a seasonal inspection and do some basic maintenance without professional help.

My Roof Care Checklist: Spring Edition

You will need a few tools for the job: a pair of durable gloves with a rubber grip, a sturdy ladder tall enough to comfortably reach your roof, and a gutter cleaning tool of your choice. Below you will find a roof maintenance checklist that you can print out to keep handy.

Clean the gutters

After the winter, your gutters are likely to be clogged with debris such as last-season leaves, twigs, and pine needles. They put extra weight on the roof and block the downspouts, preventing rainwater from reaching the drains. The buildup also traps moisture and causes water to seep into the roof structure, flooding your attic and causing mold to grow inside your walls. Use a gutter cleaning tool or your hands (don’t forget the gloves) to scoop out all the gunk.

Inspect the shingles

Preventative roof maintenance is all about spotting the problem before it escalates. Take a good look at your shingles. Are any of them loose or damaged? Replace the curling shingles and hammer down any nails that are popping out. If most of the shingles look old and worn out, it is probably time for a roofing replacement.

Check the flashing

It is important that flashing stays intact as it connects various elements of the roof and provides an additional water seal. Re-caulk the flashing if you see any cracks. Have you noticed rust spots here and there? It is better to replace the flashing before the rust eats away on the material and causes structural damage.

Examine the gutters for leaks

When the water freezes, it expands, causing deformation and cracks in the downspouts, which leads to leaks. If there are ice dams, they will prevent water from running down the spout. The water will overflow and cause roof underlayment to rot, destroying the house insulation.

Home improvement stores have everything you need to clean the gutters and patch up any holes in the roofing. But keep in mind: water damage can decrease the value of your property. So if you are not sure that you can do the job yourself, it is better to hire specialists.

Living Roof Maintenance

Green roofs are aesthetically pleasing and provide additional insulation. But they are also high-maintenance. Here is how to take care of it:

Clear the debris

Clean out the dead leaves to give your plants access to that early spring sun. Remove any spent or rotten vegetation.

Check the drainage

Excess water will drown your plants, so make sure that the drainage outlets are cleared of any build-up.

Dispose of weeds

If you can spot any tree seedlings, weed them out before they have a chance to grow and damage your waterproofing.

Apply fertilizer

You reap what you sow. Don’t skimp on fertilizer to make sure your green roof will indeed be green.

The spring roof maintenance cost is pretty low if you decide to do it yourself. All you need are a few tools and a steady ladder. However, if you really want the work to be done properly, it is never a bad idea to call the professionals. Home Run Improvement is a family-owned house repair company based in Louisville, Kentucky. Contact us to book our services and find out the residential roof maintenance cost of your project!

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