Finally, the snow is melting, you are turning your jackets in for light sweaters. This only means one thing, spring is here! Along with beautiful flowers and sunshine this season often brings about a wonderful opportunity for routine cleaning. We clean our teeth with routine spring checkups and we clean our closets to make room for a new spring wardrobe, but do we often think to get on top of our homes and buildings to give our roofs a routine spring checkup?
If not, there is no better time than now. With the good weather it is the perfect time to inspect your roof and attempt to identify small problems before they expand to extremely costly repairs.
The following identify a few routine spring checks to get in the habit of doing.
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Gutter System:
Inspecting gutters is essential for maintaining a healthy roof. Not only is it important to clear gutters of any clogged dirt, leaves or other material, but it is also essential to take a closer look and inspect for weak areas. Sometimes gutters can get cracks or leaks from build up over time. These leaks create weak points that if left unattended can cause serious water damage to roofs and structures.
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Tree Trimming:
As spring leaves begin to return to tree branches you will definitely want to inspect their reach. If tree branches are approaching your roof area you will want to trim them back. This applies not only to branches that could threaten scratching shingles in the wind, but any branches that create shade over your roof for extended periods time. Depending on the climate you live in, shade can create a more humid environment, which promotes moss and algae growth during the spring.
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Moss, Mold, Algae:
A close visual inspection for damaging substances like moss, mold or algae can help prevent further growth. If left for too long these substances can thoroughly damage your roof shingles, and eventually require a complete roof replacement. The key to avoiding that situation is early diagnosis. As you safely get on your rooftop and inspect the shingles, be sure to remove any dirt, leaves or branches that have blown onto the rooftop. Look for dark black patches that is a good indicator of algae and do an intense cleaning if any of those things are found.
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The Flashing:
Flashing refers to the strips of metal that are used at the base to bind the roof to other surfaces. It could be found around the chimney, vents, skylights or any other surfaces that come in contact with the roof’s surface. All of these intersections can be vulnerable points of entry for unwanted water, insects, dirt or other damaging substances. Performing thorough inspections of each piece of flashing will save major headache and costly future projects, both to the interior and exterior of your home or building.
Finding time in your busy spring schedule to perform these roof inspections and fix any potential problems may not seem like a top priority, but in the long run it will be well worth your effort.