Spring Roof Maintenance: How to Extend the Life of Your Roof
An ounce of prevention…
You can prolong your roof’s life and avoid replacing it earlier than necessary with proper maintenance – performed at least once annually (in spring), but preferably done in both spring and autumn (especially if you have trees around your home).
Your roof maintenance regime should begin with a thorough inspection – inside and out.
Depending on your comfort level and safe access to your roof, you may opt to complete the initial assessment yourself. If you have any doubts at all, you should hire a professional roofing contractor to perform the inspection for you.
What should I look for? (Interior)
- Signs of water damage (stains, peeling/bubbling paint, etc.) on walls and ceilings
- Water stains on pipes that vent through the roof
- Sagging areas on underside of roof
- Damp areas around a fireplace
- Water/moisture anywhere else it shouldn’t be
What should I look for? (Exterior)
- Deteriorating, loose or missing shingles
- Damaged seals or signs of debris around chimneys and vents
- Shingle debris in your gutters
- Rust spots/stains on flashing
- Signs of damage caused by wildlife (rodents, birds, etc.)
What should I do if I find a problem?
Hopefully, you won’t find any serious issues. However, if you do suspect there’s a problem, you should contact a qualified roofing expert immediately.
What can I do to maintain my roof?
Fortunately, most roof issues can be prevented by following a few basic maintenance tips. Again, if you don’t have safe access to your roof or a do-it-yourself mindset, we strongly recommend enlisting the help of an experienced contractor.
- Put safety first!
- Downspouts – insert hose from top opening and flush with water
- Gutters – manually remove loose debris, then flush with hose
- Branches – trim to prevent abrasions and limit rodent access (leave large/high branches to a professional)
- Repaint wood trim around roof and gutters as needed to prevent wood rot
…Is worth a pound of cure
Roof damage is like a toothache – the longer you wait to fix it, the more unpleasant (and expensive) it becomes!
Even if you’re diligent in performing your own inspections and maintenance, it’s still a wise idea to have a professional inspection periodically to ensure there are no hidden issues. It’s worth every penny to give you peace of mind and keep your home – and your family – safe.
