Spring is a time for new growth in all aspects of life, including your home! If you've ever heard of the term "spring cleaning," you know it inspires feelings of renewal. Over the course of fall and winter, roofing systems can begin to compile a lot of nature's forces and may even start to show signs of wear.
When the snow melts (or for Southerners, when that smell in the air comes back), it's a fantastic time to give your roof some love. There are several things you can do to give your roof a perfect chance at tackling the months ahead. A little cleaning and TLC will do your roof a world of good heading into the year.
We're so thrilled you stopped by because RoofCrafters has been a trusted name in roofing for nearly three decades. If there's anything you need to know about roof spring cleaning, it's right here. We love seeing homeowners taking excellent care of their roofs because the truth is, they're one of the most essential parts of a functioning home. Gotta take care of them!
In this article, we've compiled a list of must-do activities when it comes to your roof and entering the warmer seasons. When your roofing system sheds its winter coat, it's time to put on shades and sunscreen, so to speak. Preparing your roof for every season not only helps it perform at its best but can even extend the life of it and the rest of your home. Are you ready to dive in? We are!
How to Spring Clean Your Roof
You've made it through another winter and are ready for flowers, birds, and green grass. Though your roof probably doesn't mind those things, either, it's more concerned with ensuring it's cleared of debris and prepped for spring rainstorms and other weather events. During the fall and winter, leaves, twigs, and other debris have a tendency to fall into the crevices and nooks of the roof, creating congestion and even potential problems later on. Tackling simple yet critical tasks can help your roof breathe better.
Check Those Gutters
Your gutters and drains divert water flow away from your roof and home! So, if this pathway is blocked due to any reason, it can lead to moisture buildup, water backup, and other serious roofing problems. Therefore, it is important to keep your gutters and drains clean and flowing all year round. A lot of people feel that they need to clean them out during the fall season due to the leaf debris, but things can get stuck in your gutters regardless of the time of the year.
The drain blockage can then cause water puddles on your roof, which often presents more damage to the decking as well as your attic. It's important make sure your gutters are clean before fall begins. Once you've cleared the gutter blockage, also make sure that your gutters haven't loosened during the colder months. This is important because a loose gutter with heavy debris can create an even bigger problem down the road.
Tip: Following a regular schedule for gutter cleaning can help you stay on track with debris buildup. Never hesitate to ask someone for help when clearing leaves and other materials from your roof. The more, the merrier!
Give Your Attic A Peep
Without proper ventilation, heat and moisture will build up in your attic. If left unchecked, this can cause shingles to warp, lumber to rot, insulation to fail, and a roof to buckle. If roof vents get blocked or attic insulation is insufficient, it can cause severe problems for your home's roof. The best way around this is to install an attic fan to help your attic breathe easier.
Examine Your Roof
Taking a look at the different elements of your roof can tell you a lot about the condition it's in and what may need assessing or repairing.
During the warmer months of the year, roofing materials usually expand with higher temperatures and extreme heat. This expansion often leads to shingle displacement, cracking, and brittleness, especially in roofs that are over ten to fifteen years old. So, before cool weather comes in, make sure to look for broken shingles or any gaps between them. Also, take some time to inspect the flashing around your chimney and vents. If the caulk around these areas has failed, it is likely that your shingles will give way too.
Check for mold and algae, too. Spring warmth is usually accompanied by rain and excessive humidity. These two conditions are ideal for algae and mold growth. Over time, algae can cause rot, damaging your shingles and ultimately leading to roof decay. However, it's not only the roof where you should look for algae growth. It can also be found in gutters due to water buildup. So, in summer, algae growth can significantly damage your roof and gutters if left untreated.
Trim Trees
Storms can be a major risk to your roofing system, so trimming the surrounding trees should also be an essential part of your regular maintenance routine. Large trees and overhanging branches can destroy even a newer roofing system, especially pines. If you have trees or heavy branches hanging over your roof, you should trim or remove them before a storm hits. This part of roof maintenance is significant in warmer months, as the most historically damaging storms usually take place before fall in the Southeast.
Tip: As a general rule of thumb, Tree branches should be at least 10 to 20 feet away from your roof, but the exact distance should depend on the size of the tree's canopy and root system, as well as its distance from your home.
Is It Time to Give My Roof A Spring Cleaning?
March is the perfect time for those of us who live in Southern regions to go ahead and start tidying up after winter. We hope this article inspired you to take a look at your roof and see what you can find that may need a little tweaking. After clearing your roof, you'll feel better knowing it has all the components it needs to power through another season with grace.
If you're curious about what else you can do in the arena of roof upkeep, we strongly suggest checking out our learning center. There, you'll find articles we've tackled on everything involving roofing, from specific styles to particular issues and much more. There's a little something for every reader, so it's a must if you want to brush up on your roofing knowledge to impress your friends.
Okay, so you're basically the all-knowing power of roof spring cleaning now. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your roof, RoofCrafters is more than delighted to assist you. Before you get in contact with a roofer, though, please take a quick look at our comprehensive roofer checklist to ensure you know which ones stand out and will make the perfect addition to your roofing project. To get in touch with one of our friendly RoofCrafters representatives, head over to our contact page.
