Construction & Contractors Blog
It's important for you to take care of roof maintenance before the spring arrives. Springtime weather can include heavy amounts of precipitation. Neglecting roof maintenance at the end of the winter could lead to roof leaks and water damage to the interior of your home. The following are six important maintenance tasks you should perform on your roof at the end of the winter.
Remove leaves and debris from gutters
Gutters can easily get clogged with leaves and debris in the fall and winter months. That's why it's important to give your gutters a good cleaning at the end of the winter. If gutters are left clogged when spring rains come, roof leaks are likely. Gutters should be cleaned out and inspected to make sure that they are still functioning properly so that precipitation is channeled off of a home's roof and away from the perimeter of the home through the downspouts.
Have the flashing inspected
Flashing is an important roof component that helps keep moisture from penetrating a roof. Unfortunately, flashing can come loose or develop gaps over time. Damaged or worn flashing needs to be replaced to prevent roof leaks.
Check for any mold growth
Mold can begin to grow on a roof during the winter months. This is especially likely after a mild winter with a lot of precipitation. Mold growth doesn't just detract from a roof's appearance but can also eat away at roof materials over time and cause leaks.
If mold growth on your roof is a frequent problem, zinc or copper strips can be installed on the ridgeline of your roof that can prevent mold growth.
Have any missing shingles or hardware replaced
An inspection should be performed at the end of the winter to check and see if any shingles or hardware have become loose over the winter. Loose or missing parts should be replaced to prevent leaks and other structural damage to a roof.
Trim back any vegetation
Vegetation surrounding your roof should be expected to grow quickly in the spring months. That's why it's a good idea to trim vegetation back at the end of the winter. Growing vegetation can damage a roof if it falls down onto the roof surface and causes impact damage.
Inspect for any signs of ice dam issues
Ice dams can be a big problem during the winter months. They can cause leaks by allowing water to get under the shingles when it freezes. If you know that ice dams have formed on your roof over the winter, it's important to have the affected areas inspected and repaired as needed to protect against leaks and repair any damage.
Reach out to a professional who provides roofing services in your area to learn more.
Share16 March 2021
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
