10 Tips for Spring Roof Cleaning and Maintenance

With warmer days upon us, homeowners are cleaning up their yards to prepare for the spring and summer seasons. Don't forget to look all the way up to the top of your home and follow these 10 spring roof maintenance tips.

"How do I prepare my roof for spring?"

As a Hamilton roofing company, our customers often ask us how they can best care for their roofs and extend its life as much as possible. Luckily, a roof preventive maintenance program is easy to manage once you establish a solid routine, and can save you thousands of dollars in unnecessary repairs and early replacements.

How often should you perform roof maintenance?

Your best approach is a bi-annual clean-up for your roofing spring and fall when the season begins to change. You’ll keep your gutters and rooftop clean and free of debris that causes clogs and water damage.

Follow 10 tips from the experts below to make your roof spring cleaning a breeze.

A Note About Roof Maintenance Safety

Any time you're heading up several feet onto your roof, you need to be aware of safety protocols to prevent slips, falls, and other potential injuries. You should always be moving and using a ladder with essential safety protocols in mind.

• Set up a sturdy ladder on solid, level ground.
• Secure the ladder to the side of your home to avoid slipping as you ascend and descend.
• Place your ladder's base 1 foot further from the house for every 4 feet in total climbing height - for a 12-foot high eavestrough, your ladder should start 3 feet from the house.
• Extend your ladder a minimum of 3 feet above the gutter before you climb.

10 Spring Roofing Tips to Extend the Life of Your Roof

#1: Clean out your gutters.

Take a look from the ground at your eavestrough, ensuring they are all firmly attached to your home's fascia. If there is any gap between the two, your eavestroughs are at risk of falling off the house.

During an early spring rain, check to see if any eavestroughs are overflowing - a sign that your gutters or downspouts are clogged. They need to be free and clear so that water doesn't back up onto your roof or enter your home.

How do I keep my roof clean?

Gutter-Cleaning Steps

• Use heavy-duty gloves to remove twigs, leaves, and any other debris that's made its way into your eavestrough over the winter.
• Once the debris is cleaned out, use a hose on full-blast to flush out the leftover residue.
• Thread hose into the downspout drain opening and turn to full-blast.
• Check the gutters after the flush for any pooling - it indicates low spots that may need adjustments*.

*For proper drainage, gutters should be sloped downward by 1 inch for every 20 horizontal feet of length.

#2: Use a hose, not a pressure washer.

Using a pressure washer to blast the leaves and gunk out of the gutters might be tempting, but it’s not a good idea.

Never use any hose attachment other than a classic nozzle to clean your gutters and roof. The pressure washer is too strong, causing shingle granule loss and damage to your roofing system. Instead, use steady, moderate pressure whenever you're washing the roof and gutters, and remove most of the debris by hand before you use the hose to flush the system.

#3: Look out for loose flashing.

One of the biggest spring roof maintenance tips many homeowners miss is a bi-annual flashing inspection.

Flashing are the metal pieces connecting your roof to your home, especially around chimneys, skylights, and roof edges. Check the flashing and caulking to ensure it's properly sealed and free of rust, as loose and rusted flashing can cause leaks and other roof issues.

#4: Trim your trees.

Trees can make our yards beautiful, but they need to be well-maintained for more than just aesthetics. Trimming your trees can also prevent spring roof repair and structural issues.

Spring is the absolute perfect time to get your trees trimmed away from your home to avoid shaded and damp roof areas on your roof - two major contributors to mold and algae growth.

Even without moisture issues, overhanging branches can fall and damage your roof. Be proactive and trim them back to avoid damages and roof punctures.

#5: Complete an interior inspection.

Use a flashlight to enter your attic or crawlspace and check your vents. Ensure they're still in place and look for signs of water leaks and excessive moisture on the underside of the roof. Look closely at the drywall and note any areas where plaster tape is pulling away.

Unchecked dampness leads to mold growth that can move from your roof to your drywall, ceilings, etc. Mold is an expensive issue to fix once it takes hold!

#6: Look for mold, mildew, and water damage.

Stand 10-20 feet away from your roof and look for algae staining, a black-green hue that sits under or close to overhanging trees. Algae holds moisture that quickly breaks down your shingles and roofing, leading to more calls for roof repair in spring.

Look for roof rot and check for mold under and on the roof's surface. Use your nose to your advantage, smelling for any telltale musky scents of mildew.

#7: Assess your shingles.

You'll want to inspect for any loose, damaged, or curled shingles from your rooftop, including nails that no longer sit flush. Note any missing shingles and tabs from on the roof and with a further view from the ground.

The south/southwest-facing area of the roof usually shows the most damage due to wind and harsh elements, so pay special attention to your house roof maintenance inspection to proactively spot any issues.

#8 Look out for critters.

Some critters like to hunker down over the winter, and what better place than a gap in your roof to settle in? We can think of a few better places! Unfortunately, critters don't quite understand the damage they cause to our homes when they build nests in roofs and gutters.

If you see signs of pests, you need to inspect further to see if they've abandoned their spot or are still living life as an uninvited guest in your home. You may need to contact pest control if they've burrowed into your attic or are still close by.

#9: Document any roof damage.

Throughout your inspection, you should document any damage or areas of concern to show your spring roofing contractor if needed. Take photos and write down any notes to make their inspection go smoothly and ensure no points of concern go unaddressed.

You may also need to provide photos and evidence if you go through your home insurance provider to cover roof damage repair from a storm or other issue.

#10: Call a professional.

If your roof is brand-new or in fantastic shape, a great spring clean can help maintain it.

If you spot any issues during the cleaning process, get in touch with roofing companies in Hamilton who can walk through the issues with you and determine whether you need some professional help with repairs.

Our company provides affordable roofing in Hamilton, Ontario, and we're ready to take your call to talk about spring roof repair.

Call us at (905) 544-4667 and get a free roof repair and replacement estimate!