As the weather warms up and the days get longer, many homeowners start to knock off tasks from their spring cleaning list – wash windows, deep clean carpets and scrub the floors and bathrooms. One item that shouldn’t be overlooked is spring cleaning the roof! This task can help you stay ahead of expensive repairs.
After months of wet weather, debris and dirt will have likely accumulated on the roof – not to mention, potential damage from extreme weather might have occurred over winter. Making sure your roof continues to protect you and your family this season is important for its longevity. Let’s take a look at our comprehensive roof spring cleaning checklist!
Clean the Gutters
Your gutter system is an important part of the overall health of your roof. Check to make sure water flows properly through the gutters and the downspout system. Remove debris such as sticks and leaves from the gutters and check to see if there are granules from your roof shingles in the gutters. If there are granules in the gutters, this may be a sign your roof is nearing its end of life.
Trim Trees
Big, beautiful trees near your roof may look gorgeous in the springtime, but these can be harmful to your roof! Tree branches can scrape and scratch your roof and fallen branches can cause even more damage. Trim branches so they are at least 6 feet away from your roof.
Inspect Shingles
Roof shingles are the first line of defense against the harsh elements that affect your roof. It’s good practice to inspect the shingles at least once a year after a harsh winter. The condition of your shingles is a good indicator of whether or not you need to repair or replace your roof.
First, start with a visual inspection simply by walking around the home. Do you see missing or loose shingles? Do you see granules on the ground near the house? After the ground inspection, use a ladder to get a closer look at the shingles. Remember to practice ladder safety – wear the proper shoes, keep at least 3 points of contact with the ladder at all times, and have someone with you to help keep the ladder stable.
When inspecting shingles, keep an eye out for:
- Blistered Shingles: Blistering (black speckles) is a sign of poor ventilation and the shingles are “cooking” from underneath. Excessive granule loss is a sign the shingles are dried out and are “shaking off” their top protective coating.
- Brittle Shingles: Do some shingles feel or sound like they’re “crunching?” Do you hear granules falling off while you’re walking the roof? This is a sign the shingles are dried out, brittle, and are losing granules. Roofs with brittle shingles may benefit from a Roof Maxx treatment.
- Buckling Shingles: Buckling shingles happen when there is a moisture problem underneath the shingles and the framing has shifted. Homes with buckling shingles may need roof repair services and in extreme cases, a full roof replacement.
- Stained Shingles: Keep an eye out for stains or streaks on your shingles. This indicates there is a leak somewhere or your roof’s ventilation system isn’t working properly. Black stains are usually an indicator of algae growth, meaning your shingles are holding water and encouraging algae to form.
Safety tip: if you are uncomfortable on a ladder or with heights, leave the roof inspection to the professionals. It’s not worth the risk to do it yourself.
Examine Flashing and Chimney
Some of the most common causes of roof leaks are damaged flashing and chimneys. Flashing can pull away from the chimney and roof which can create small holes. If you see any signs of damage, contact a roofing company to help with repairs.
Check the Attic
One easy way to check the health of your roof is to check the health of your attic! Roof leaks are not always noticeable from the roof itself unless you are a seasoned roofer, so take a peek in the attic. If you see signs of water damage, or mold, or the attic has a musty odor, your roof may need some attention.
Invest in Roof Maxx
Most roofing companies will recommend a full roof replacement rather than doing repairs, even if a roof still has some life left in it. That’s where Roof Maxx comes in. Roof Maxx is an all-natural bio-oil that seeps into dried-out shingles and rehydrates the asphalt with essential oil beads. This process restores flexibility so the shingles can contract and expand without breaking while reactivating the seal tabs on the shingles helping to extend the waterproofing protection. Bonus? Roof Maxx is a fraction of the cost of a new roof.
Free Spring Roof Assessment with Roof Maxx Mechanicsburg
At Roof Maxx Mechanicsburg, we are here to help homeowners knock off their spring cleaning roof checklist! Let us take care of your roof this spring with a free roof assessment. Our detailed roof assessment helps homeowners understand the condition of their current roofing system and what they need – or don’t need – to extend the life of their roof. We can help with roof repairs, roof rejuvenation, or even roof replacement. Contact us online today to schedule your roof assessment or call/text us at 717-487-8752.
