Naturally, thoughts of spring cleaning and yard work are at the top of many homeowners’ TO-DO lists this time of year. However, did you know that one of the most important areas for your home’s outdoor maintenance — your roof — is also one of the most often forgotten?
As your roof recovers from everything that winter dumps on it – snow, ice, increased darkness (think mold), an unending cycle of the sun’s heat and bitter cold nights, not to mention wet, windy, freezing conditions for months — you need to help your roof prepare for spring. Make sure you give it the TLC it deserves, in terms of regular maintenance, to help it shine.
Gutters
Spring weather means rain, wind and thunderstorms, as well as lots of sun. So this is the time to make sure that your gutters are ready for all of that before torrential rains move in.
Survey the Shingles
After winter’s brutal assault on your roof, now is the time to look for any shingles that are missing, curling or worn down, as well as any with cracks, missing edges or loose nails. Regularly inspecting your roof for damage in every season will help keep it in great shape for years to come.
Mold or Algae Growth
Moisture collects on your roof’s shingles throughout the winter. Moisture combined with increased darkness just happens to be mold and algae’s perfect conditions for growth. While some mold and algae growth is normal because of the makeup of shingles these days, be on the lookout for numerous individual instances or large patches of mold growth.
Document Any Damage
If you do find missing, cracked or broken shingles, mold growth or any other issues with your roof, document each issue with photos. Homeowner’s insurance will probably cover some roof damage, especially after a big storm, but insurance companies usually require documentation.
Get a professional inspection
An experienced, licensed roofer can determine if there is any damage to be concerned about, the extent of any damage found, and whether it only needs a simple patch, a more extensive repair or a whole new roof. Your roof protects your home from simple leaks to substantial damage, so it is worth the investment to have a professional take a look at it periodically, just for peace of mind if nothing else.
