For the last five months, your roof has been exposed to the coldest months of the year, not to mention the dozens of feet of snow that southeastern Wisconsin experienced. As the warmer, wetter months approach, it’s important to ask yourself: Is my roof going to protect the people and valuables within my home? The below zero temperatures and additional weight from snowfall and ice on your roof can create issues as things begin to warm up and melt away. We’ve got some tips for how to ensure your roof is ready for the April showers that are already on their way.
How to Get Your Roof Ready for Spring
The easiest step to getting your roof ready for spring is to look for low and overhanging tree limbs that have the potential to come in contact with your roof. Trim back any problem areas, and don’t forget to consider branches that may sway during strong winds or get heavier during a rainfall.
Check to ensure your gutters are free of debris. This includes checking your gutters for granules that may have shed off of your shingles. When shingles begin to age, these granules begin accumulating in your gutters. This is a good sign that you should contact your roofing contractor for an inspection and potentially a new roof. As your shingles begin losing these granules, their protection of your home decreases and you may experience greater issues down the road.
Inspect your gutters to ensure there are no loose gutters and all downspouts are attached. This can be as simple as a re-installation of the gutter and replacement could be avoided. Ensure that all fascia boards are in good health by checking for rotting areas or places that need to be painted to avoid future water damage.
Check to see if there are any loose or missing shingles on your roof. A safe and thorough way of doing this is by grabbing a pair of binoculars! Shingles along your roof-line and near your gutters are especially important to check because these are areas where weather can take its toll.
If you have valleys, skylights, or chimneys on your roof, check for buildup of debris in these areas. As things begin to warm up, this debris can initiate its decomposition cycle right on your roof. Remove all debris from your roof to ensure your roof is draining properly and to eliminate potential of standing water and leaks. Once the April showers begin, this debris can make its way into your gutters, clogging your downspouts.
Check your attic for signs of wildlife camping out. During the winter, it is common for critters to seek warmth and shelter from the elements. If there are signs of activity in your attic, it’s important to remove them as safely and as quickly as possible. Next, check for possible entry holes and get them sealed up.
We hope that it doesn’t come to this, but check your ceiling for water stains. This is a major sign that there is a water leak in your roof. This inspection step is done from the inside of your home. If you do happen to find a leak, the source may be difficult to find as water usually never travels in a straight line through your home. The professionals at American Roofing can inspect your roof and attic and determine the issue. Once we identify the problem, we will discuss options for repair or replacement.
We hope these tips help you ensure that your roof is ready for the spring weather ahead! Remember, we are always here to help at American Roofing. We provide free roofing inspections and have professionals on our team that are trained on roof, gutter, and siding installation, repair, and replacement. Give us a call to get your spring roofing inspection completed today!
