With warmer weather becoming consistent and the rigors of winter becoming a bygone memory, it’s an ideal time to take a look at the state of your roof after the harshness of winter. It’s vital to check for any damages that may have been hidden during days of snow, as well as trapped water, debris, and leaks. We typically recommend having an inspection by one of our experienced contractors to scout out problems, but if you are more of a DIY person who likes to handle it yourself, here are 5 things to look out for while checking your roof during the spring.
Tree Limbs
Any time of the year, it is recommended that no tree branches and limbs hover over or touch the roof, but during the winter time it becomes even more important. This is because they can scrape away the protective granules that lay on top of the shingle, drastically reducing its lifespan. Check to make sure that no limbs are touching or laying on the roof shingles, and if they are, take a quick look at the shingles that it has been touching. If a lot of the granule layer has been scraped away, it may be necessary to have it replaced in order to avoid future leaks.
Leaves & Pine Needles
A few leaves every now and then are no problem, but if a large quantity of them start staying on their roof it can develop to become an issue. Leaves retain moisture, and if a large enough clump of them gather on your roof, the moisture within may seep under your shingles. In addition to that, they can fall into and build up in your gutter, blocking the drainage of water from your roof. Both can lead to a wide range of problems that will damage both the shingle and the interior of your home.
Mold, Algae & Fungus
Mold is more than an eyesore for your roof: it can eat away into your asphalt shingles and cause leaks. In any circumstance, do not power wash them! This will only remove the protective granule layer on top, and shorten your shingle’s lifespan. Instead, use a treatment of chlorine bleach or copper sulfate solution applied with a garden sprayer can kill the mold. With the CertainTeed roof shingles we install however, they come equipped with an algae-resistant layer. These are backed by a 30-year warranty that guarantee that mold won’t be an issue for a long time to come.
Gutter Damage
All the snowfall from the winter season can result in gutter damage, where heavy leaves can build up, clogging and weighing down the gutters. Therefore, before the April showers come in, be sure to clean out your gutters of any leaves, debris, or other blockers that can impede the drainage of water, and make sure that the nails fastening it to the roof are strong and won’t come loose.
Missing Shingles, Chimney and Flashing
This is probably the most severe problem you can find, as missing shingles, flashing, and other roofing components mean exposed roof areas that are highly susceptible to the next rainfall, and are currently allowing heated indoor air, wind, and insects into your home’s delicate interior. If found, immediately contact us for a replacement of the missing pieces.
As you can see, there are plenty of concerns that you should be checking for once the weather permits. However, climbing onto roofs to check is dangerous, and there are some problems that are harder to spot than others. This is why we recommend contacting one of our experienced contractors to come and inspect your roof for you. Having worked on thousands of roofs, we know what to look for, as well as what to do with any issues we find. Contact us at 978-804-5972 or fill out an online contact form to inquire about our services. We’d love to work with you!
