Spring is blooming all around, which means it’s time to get outside! In order to maintain your roof in its best condition, and for optimal beauty, performance, and endurance, you should spend some time taking care of it now.
Clean your gutters.
Although they’re not part of the roof itself, your gutters are a big part of keeping your roof healthy and leak-free. Over the winter, debris and obstructions may have accumulated in your home’s gutters. Even if you have gutter covers, leaves, sticks, rocks, and residue from your roof can build up. Ice dams may have caused damage to the gutters themselves. Now that the snow and ice have melted, it’s a great time to make sure they’re blockage-free and in great shape!
Remove debris using gloved hands if you are able to access the gutters by ladder. Connecting an extension hose to a wet/dry vacuum like a shop-vac can help you reach farther and make cleaning out your gutters easy and fast.
DON’T use a hose to attempt to spray or flood out your gutters. This may cause downspouts to clog with debris, causing or exacerbating leaks and damaging the drainage systems.
If you have any qualms about doing it yourself, a professional gutter cleaning service can inspect and clean your gutters quickly and economically.
Inspect your roof’s exterior.
Both from the ground and, if possible, from a ladder, take a look at your roof. Note any peeling, cracking, or other damage to shingles or roofing materials. Winter weather like winds, hail, ice, and snow can cause damage. Make note of any missing shingles or damaged areas. It’s especially important to look at the flashing and roofing material around chimneys, pipes, vents, and other seams to make sure it is intact and undamaged.
If you have a shingled roof, check to make sure that the granules are still in good condition. Excessive shedding of granules can make shingles more prone to curling, peeling, or separating. Granules also protect the roof from ultraviolet rays, so when they wear off, the roof loses some of its ability to protect your home from the elements.
Give it a good cleaning.
If your roof has moss or algae, it's a great time to give it a good scrub. Moss can cause serious damage to your home if it is allowed to build up, spread, and thicken. The moisture it traps can cause your roofing materials to rot and deteriorate, shortening your roof's lifespan and forcing you to replace it sooner. Moss can also break the bond between shingles and lift up the edges, making it easier for water to infiltrate your roof and wind to dislodge shingles. Although algae is not harmful to your roof, it can leave ugly streaks, stains, or discoloration. You can remove these with oxygen bleach.
Once you are done cleaning your roof, take steps to prevent moss and algae from re-accumulating on your roof.
Inspect your home’s interior.
It’s a good time to take a look inside your home, too. Check for evidence of any water infiltration on the interior ceilings and walls. Damp, cracked, or discolored walls can indicate leakage, which may lead to structural damage or harmful mold. Inspect the inside of the attic, if you have one, for any evidence of water seepage, condensation, or leaking. Check to make sure there is no evidence of warping, buckling, or other visible damage.
Call a professional.
If you see any signs of significant damage or leaking, you should call a roofing professional immediately. Even if you don’t see any visible issues, however, it’s a good idea to have an experienced roofing inspector take a look at your roof at least once a year. This inspection can help you understand the current state of your roof’s health and plan for when it will likely need to be repaired or replaced.
Plus, a roofing contractor can educate you on your roof replacement options, including new technological advances. Replacing your roof with environmentally friendly materials can save you money on your heating and cooling bills and may entitle you to a tax credit. Long lasting materials like stone-coated steel can improve the look of your home while providing incredibly long-lasting durability.
Contact the professionals at Hedrick Construction to schedule your gutter cleaning or roof inspection! If you need gutter or roofing services in or around Ames, Iowa, give us a call.
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