Springtime Roof Maintenance Tips
The arrival of spring puts yard work and spring cleaning at the top of your to-do list, but what often gets overlooked is the roof, which has been subject to a lot of weather abuse through the winter months and may require tender loving care.
1) Clean your gutters
From late Fall, through the winter months, debris such as pine needles, twigs, or dirt can clog up your gutters, rendering them useless. When the next spring rainstorm arrives, water will overflow, potentially damaging your house.
Consider adding a gutter guard to prevent the gutters from becoming clogged.
2) Inspect your shingles
Damaged shingles can leak and can cause severe damage to your home’s interior.
We recommend that you use a licensed professional to climb up onto your roof to inspect it, but if you decide to inspect the roof yourself, please use all safety precautions:
- Work on dry roofs only
- Wear shoes with soft rubber shoes for the best traction
- Use a ladder that conforms to local code and is approved by the American Ladder Institute
- The base of the ladder should extend out 1 foot for every 4 feet of elevation
- Use roof brackets and a safety harness
- Leave steep and high roofs to the professionals
Check the roof for any shingles that are cracked or have curled up edges, identify shingles with loose nails. If you see areas of the roof with damaged shingles, it may be time for a roofing repair.
3) Check for mold or algae
Your roof will be wet for long periods during the winter months and may be subject to mold or algae growth. There are do-it-yourself cleaning kits, but we recommend that you use a professional roof cleaning service because it is inherently dangerous working on a wet roof.
4) Schedule a professional inspection
If you do decide to undertake roof inspection and you do find problems with your roof, we recommend that you schedule a professional inspection.
A licensed and experienced roofer will assess the extent of your roof damage and will determine whether it needs minor or more significant repair. The roof protects your attic and every room in the home: it is worth the investment to keep your home and its contents dry.
5) Check that your roof is covered by your insurance policy
Most homeowners’ insurance policies cover roof replacement if the damage is the result of an act of nature or a sudden accidental event; however, some insurance policies will not replace or repair a roof that’s gradually deteriorating due to wear-and-tear or neglect.
Roofs that are over 20 years old may have limited coverage.
It is good practice to keep records of repairs, before-and-after photos, and reports from roofing inspections. Inform your insurance company promptly when damage occurs.
If you have any questions about your homeowners’ insurance, do not hesitate to contact us.
We hope that these maintenance tips prepare your home for the new season.
Regular roof inspection for damage or moisture will help keep it in tip-top shape for years to come.
