Roof Spring Cleaning Checklist

Just like many other parts of our home or business, the roof is often taken for granted until there’s a problem, which can turn into a costly expense. Spring is a great time to inspect and clean your roof, not only to help lengthen its lifespan, but to also catch and address any issues that may be happening on the roof. Here is our Spring cleaning checklist for your roof:

Clear off Debris: A build up of debris will lead to mold and mildew growth, and can also damage the roofing surface. To remove debris, it can either be moved by hand or with a leaf blower.

Clean out Gutters: Chances are, your gutters are full of debris and dead leaves after surviving the winter months. Water should be able to flow freely through your gutters and downspouts. Debris can prevent this, causing the water to back up and damage other parts of the roof. If you don’t feel comfortable climbing on a ladder, it’s best to hire a professional gutter cleaning company. However, if you don’t mind climbing a ladder and getting dirty, you’ll want to start by cleaning out all of the debris, dirt, and granules from your gutters and then move to your downspouts. Using a hose is often helpful, but you want to be careful not to use too much water pressure or you will risk damaging something. Once the system is cleaned out, check to make sure there are no problem areas on the gutters and that you’re not missing any fasteners.

Inspect for Problem Areas: Shingles are the overlapping squares that act as the roof’s first defense. While inspecting the roof, look closely for these common issues:

Missing shingles leave your roof infrastructure exposed to all the weather elements and can result in extensive damage, rotting wood, and leaking. Be sure missing shingles are replaced immediately.

Stained shingles typically indicate there’s a leak or that the ventilation system isn’t functioning properly. In this case, it is best to contact a qualified roofing contractor who can determine the underlying cause and repair the problem.

Curled, buckled, or blistered shingles are all signs that something isn’t quite right with your roof. Curled shingles need to be replaced as soon as possible to avoid water damage. Buckling and blistering shingles are both caused by moisture presence and need to be addressed quickly to avoid further damage.

Trim Tree Branches: Tree branches hanging over your roof can cause a lot of damage and are also an easy way for small critters to get into your home. Remove (or have a professional remove) any branches that are near your roof and have the potential to break off and fall on it. This will also help minimize the amount of leaves that build up in your gutters.

Inspect Inside: This step is often overlooked, but very important. Go in the attic and look for light coming in (this would signify there’s a hole somewhere), active leaks, water damage, mold or mildew growth, or any cracks. Any of these issues need to be addressed as soon as possible to prevent costly damage.

Following this Spring cleaning checklist will help you stay in front of small problems and help prepare your roof for the coming spring and summer months that are typically full of rain and sun. Keep in mind that walking on your roof can damage it if you don’t know what you’re doing, and an untrained eye can miss signs of a problem. It is always best to work with a professional roofing company like Nashville Roofers because we know exactly what to look for. We can also guarantee that we’ll do the job efficiently and there will be no hidden costs because we are committed to being an honest and fair roofing company. Give us a call today!