It’s time for spring cleaning — and not just for your home’s interior. Be sure to tidy up your roof and perform the routine maintenance that will help it last for years to come. We’ve put together a convenient checklist to follow.
Remove Debris from Your Roof
Especially during the fall season, trees shed leaves, twigs, and perhaps even full branches. As these build up on your roof, they collect moisture that can cause damage:
- Pooling water puts undue pressure on your roof and contributes to cracks.
- Excess moisture creates a perfect environment for mold and mildew that can infect your roof’s underlying structure.
- Leaves and twigs can clog your gutters, preventing rainfall from draining properly from your roof.
- Large branches can damage shingles.
To clear the debris, climb onto your roof (safety first!) and use a rake or leaf blower to remove it. Always wear non-slip, sturdy shoes, and make sure your ladder is set up correctly. When in doubt, reach out to a professional roofing team who can take care of debris removal for you.
After you clear any fallen leaves or branches from your roof, check for any broken or loose shingles. If shingles are cracked or curling upward, they can compromise your roof’s overall integrity. They’re also more likely to harbor mold that can cause further problems.
You can nail down any lifted shingles. If you see a lot of broken ones, it may be time to book professional roof repair. Contact Sentinel Roofing to get our expert opinion.
Also, check the metal flashing around your chimney, vents, skylights, and other openings in your roof. These should be sealed tight to prevent water from entering the roof deck. Look for any signs of rust, warping, cracks, and so on.
Clear Away Plants and Mold
Unless you have a rooftop garden, you shouldn’t have vines, moss, or other plants growing on your roof. These can trap moisture and cause water damage. Also, the roots could invade the underlying structure and lead to attic leaks, cracked shingles, and more.
Pull away any plant life from your roof. It’s also a good idea to trim shrubs and trees that grow close to the house. This helps prevent debris from accumulating on your roof, as well as large, heavy branches from falling and causing damage.
If you see mold on your roof, you can use a 50-50 solution of water and bleach to kill it. Spray onto the spot, wait 1 hour, then rinse off.
We recommend against using a power washer to clean your roof, especially if you have shingles.
Clean Your Gutters
Gutters are crucial for diverting water away from your roof. But if they’re clogged, they can’t perform effectively. They also can start sagging under the weight, which can lead to damage to your roof, eaves, and gables.
Clear out your gutters by scooping out debris. (Wear gloves!) Then, use a hose to flush out the rest. This is also a good time to make sure water doesn’t pool in your gutters.
Also, check your downspouts to make sure water can flow through them. The easiest way to point your hose at the top. Watch the bottom to see how much water comes out. If it’s only a trickle, you may have debris clogging the downspout. Use a long dowel rod to loosen the clog. Then, rinse it out with the hose.
Throughout your spring cleaning, if you do discover damage, you can count on Sentinel Roofing for expert repair. Get a free, instant estimate sent to your email.