As the trees spring into bloom with the warmer weather, families begin migrating outside to take advantage of the season. With more time spent outdoors, spring cleaning checklists start developing, and the projects start. Most people start their lists by giving the landscape a makeover, cleaning the garage, or planting a beautiful garden to enjoy all summer. People rarely think about spring cleaning the roof. However, it's necessary to remember that your roof also needs some tender love and care, particularly after the harsh Long Island winter months. That's why we've compiled a comprehensive spring cleaning checklist for your roof. Crossing this off your to-do list will leave you feeling satisfied and ready to enjoy the summer.
Tackle Your Gutters
Working on your gutters is the first step to spring cleaning your roof. Chances are they're clogged full of debris leaves after the winter months have passed. Even if you cleaned them out perfectly in the fall, time takes its toll. However frustrating it may be, it's essential to do it because your gutters can't do their job if they are clogged. It may feel like a never-ending job, but it's something you need to do to maintain the integrity of your roof. If the draining system isn't working correctly, then it's likely that your shingles, siding, soffits, and more will be vulnerable to damage. Damages often happen fast, and if they do, your roof may be compromised. You'll thank yourself later if you take action now.
Cleaning out all of the debris from your gutters is the first step. Use a sturdy ladder, follow any safety recommendations and get to work. Once you've cleaned all the areas, move to your downspout. This may be a bit more difficult to clean. However, it's one of the essential parts of your gutter system. It's what drains water off and away from your home and needs to be unclogged for everything to work correctly. For difficult-to-reach areas, try using a hose or a plumbers snake. Take it apart if all else fails, find the source, and put it back together again.
Check for any damage once you've successfully cleaned your gutters. Ensure nothing is sagging, there are no holes, and you're not missing any fasteners.
Roof Inspection
Your roof's first line of defense is the shingles. When you're working your way through your spring cleaning checklist, please pay special attention to them. Getting on your roof should be avoided as much as possible as it can be dangerous; try to do an examination the best you can from the ground.
Missing Shingles
If you notice any missing shingles, replace them right away. When a shingle is missing, your roof begins to be compromised, exposing your infrastructure to damage such as flooding, molding, and rot.
Shingles That Curl
Improper installation or poor ventilation often causes curling shingles. If you see any shingles with edges that are starting to curl, get them fixed to avoid further damage.
Blistering Shingles
Blistered shingles occur when excessive moisture is trapped within a shingle, giving it a "blistered" appearance. Without action being taken, the shingle will burst and cause an array of more serious damages. Unfortunately, it can be extremely hard to spot blistered shingles, so we recommend a professional inspection once a year to catch any that may have developed.
Shingles That Buckle
Buckling shingles have the potential to crack and tear the infrastructure of your roof, which is why this type of damage needs to be addressed quickly. A buckling shingle is where the underneath framing has shifted from a moisture problem. You could find yourself needing to replace your roof entirely if you don't get them fixed when you spot them.
Stained Shingles
Finally, looking for any stains or signs of streaking is the last way to inspect your shingles. Both indicate a leak somewhere, or your roof's ventilation system is damaged. Yet, another problem is where you'll need to contact a professional so that the underlying source of the problem can be addressed appropriately.
Look Out for Mold
While examining your roof, actively look for any signs of mildew or mold. It's typically an easy fix without any major problems if it's caught early enough. As mildew and mold progress, they seep into the foundation and cause more problems. Try home remedies like lead control strips or zinc on the affected areas. If you notice that the mold has covered a large area and suspect that it's already begun to spread past the point of no return, call your Devito's Home Improvement roofing specialist for a more thorough inspection. It's important not to take any chances because if the mold has spread to the interior of your home, it can be dangerous for you and your family.
Trim Branches
Trees are some of the biggest threats to your roof, believe it or not. The integrity of your roof can be threatened by hanging branches and overgrown vegetation. Trimming the branches is the best way to avoid damage from your yard's trees. Again, this can be a dangerous job if you don't have the proper equipment or if you have hard-to-reach areas "so consider calling a professional arborist.
As an added benefit of trimming the branches of nearby trees, you'll spend less time raking out leaves from your gutters in the future. Taking this step during the spring is also much easier than waiting until everything is in full bloom.
Check From the Inside Out
An often-overlooked step for spring cleaning your roof is checking inside for any damages. Go into your attic and take a look from the inside out. If you see any light sources, it's likely that you have a hole somewhere in your roof. It would help if you also looked for any water damage and mold/mildew growth. If you don't see anything but smell something, don't ignore it. This indicates that there is something somewhere that you can't see. Call the professionals so they can come and give you a more thorough inspection and pinpoint the source of your problem.
General Wear and Tear
Keep an eye out for considerable general wear and tear that occurs naturally over time. Whether it's significant areas of rust on the gutters or parts of your roof that seem like their sagging, general wear and tear are usually easy to spot.
Keep in mind there is the possibility that your roof has incurred damage that can't be seen even though you may think that you've covered all of your bases. If you don't know what to look for, small details are hard to notice. In fact, most people won't be able to pinpoint rusting, small holes, and any blistering.
Roofing professionals like the ones at Devito's Home Improvement have the expertise and experience to provide you with a comprehensive inspection both outside and inside. Once you've trimmed your branches and cleaned your gutters, give us a call so that you can avoid further damage by addressing any underlying issues immediately. Remember, if you're not trained to see specific problems, it's easy to miss them. Don't pass on your yearly inspection; spring is the perfect time for repairs and preparation for the warm summer months.
When you hire an experienced roofing contractor from Devito's Home Improvement, we pride ourselves on our honesty and integrity. We aim to repair only what's needed and preserve all areas of your roof that are in good condition.
To contact an experienced roofing contractor for your home, please call: 631-943-1269