Thinking of spring cleaning can come at any point in the year, but when something happens to your roof, it could be anytime, especially when there is something obviously wrong, like a major leak. Then, it may be a bit late, and the damage is done. So, what should you do or what should you have done? Well, a spring cleaning checklist is in order. What should be on that checklist? Here’s a listing or checklist of what you should do in order to avoid surprises down the road.
Clearing Roof Debris
When a roof has piles of debris on it, you may also find mold and mildew there. Your roof will probably sustain damage. If you allow it to continue growing and don’t quickly clean it up, you could face major repairs or replacement.
You can remove the debris by hand with a rake or use a leaf blower to make the job go quickly; however, when you know you can’t clean away debris on your own, you may want to hire a licensed roofing company to do the work safely and efficiently.
Washing Mold and Mildew Away
When you are dealing with mold and mildew on a roof, it’s not good for either you or your roof. You definitely want to inspect your roof for signs of mold and mildew. Also, watch for those blackish streaks that are indications of mold and mildew growth.
Loose Shingles on your Roof
When conditions are harsh, your shingles will either blister, buckle, curl, separate, and even tear away from your roof. It’s best to check your shingles any time of year, but after any severe storms or several cold snaps, you want to know whether there is any shingle damage. Take care of shingle problems right away. If not, moisture accumulation and water damage will occur as will mold.
Flashing and Chimney Repair
Your chimney and the flashing that surrounds it could be another problem that requires inspection. It’s easy for the flashing to separate from the chimney or from the roof itself. This creates small openings where moisture, bugs, and debris can get in. It’s an easy enough fix, but you need to know where the damage actually is. If you’re not familiar with your roof and don’t know where the damage lies, you’ll want to contact reputable roofing companies for an inspection and repair.
Tree Limbs and Branches
Trees in and around your house can drop branches and limbs on your roof. If that’s the case, you’ll want to remove them as quickly as possible. With smaller branches, you can remove them yourself, but any larger branches may require the help of an expert professional. When you allow any larger branches to remain on the roof, they can cause damage by creating holes that allow any water or moisture to come into your house.
You’ll also want to think about trimming tree branches that interfere with the function of your roof. When a tree or trees cast shadows on your roof, any work to trim your trees should start. Branches that hang down over your roof can cause havoc through accidents and damage. When you’re trimming branches away, you’re also eliminating any added leaves that can plug up your gutters.
Checking your Attic
It’s always a good idea to check your attic ceiling for any mold buildup or water damage. When mold appears, it’s usually because of issues with the ventilation or insulation. The odor of mildew is distinctive, and any staining that is visible means you may have to call in a professional to help you locate the mildew and staining sources and make quick repairs before the problem gets worse.
Cleaning Gutters
If you’re having problems with water not running fast enough through your gutters and downspout system, you probably need to both check and clean your gutters. If you don’t, backups and overflow will happen.
You’ll want to start with cleaning away any debris from the gutters. Make sure you have a sturdy ladder and take safety precautions. Once the gutter is clean, move on to the downspout. This is an important area because it’s what actually drains water away from your home. Unclogging anything from the downspout helps it to work properly. You can use either a hose or a snake for the areas that are difficult to reach. If that doesn’t work, take the downspout apart, find the clog, clean it out, and put it back together.
After you’ve cleaned your gutters, check for any damage and make sure that there are no sagging holes or missing fasteners.
Even granules or other roof debris can spill into your gutters. Check to see the origin of the granules and if the shingles are wearing thin because of the loss of granules. Cleaning your gutters is time-consuming and demanding. This is another job to leave to experienced gutter cleaners if you don’t have the time or the experience to do it.
Everyday Wear and Tear
Time can be one of the worst enemies of a roof. You want to watch for everyday wear and tear that happens. Maybe you’re seeing areas of rust, sagging gutters, missing shingles, tree branches on your roof, streaks of mold in your attic, or just general debris. When you’re seeing any of those things, wear and tear are not that difficult to see and repairs need to be made.
Maintaining a roof can be a big job, which means that following the spring cleaning checklist here can be burdensome when you don’t have the time or energy to do it. If you’re not sure where to begin or who to ask, check with RGB Construction. They’ll be able to help you with any of the checklist steps given and advise you on what needs to be done with your roof. If you’re in the general area, call them at 856-264-9093. You’ll be glad you did.
