Your roof is one of the most important aspects of your home. It provides protection from the elements and keeps you and your family safe and comfortable. Since your roof is exposed to snow during the winter and hot temperatures in the summer, you need it in optimal condition. Regular maintenance is an essential part of maintaining its longevity and effectiveness. Adhering to maintenance tips and tasks tailored to each season can increase the chances that your roof will continue to serve you well for many years to come.
Spring
Spring is the perfect time to inspect your roof thoroughly after the harsh winter months. The effects of snow, ice, and bitterly cold temperatures can degrade a roof significantly. Spring is the ideal opportunity to check for any damage, make repairs, and take preventative measures to thwart future problems.
One of the most important things you can do is visually inspect your roof as safely as possible, such as looking out your windows and from ground level. This will allow you to check for damage to the flashing and if there seems to be any cracked, missing, or broken shingles.
It’s also ideal to have a landscaper trim any branches hanging over your roof. This will prevent branches from falling on or hitting your roof and potentially damaging it or, even worse, going through it. If that happens, emergency tarping will likely be necessary until roofers can complete a full repair.
Summer
Spring can cause a lot of plant material to fly around and end up in gutters. Have a professional come in and clear out the gutters of any material that landed there from the previous season.
Summer is the peak high humidity season, so check for algae or moss growing on your roof. If there is biological growth, a professional roofer needs to remove it immediately as it can cause substantial damage.
It’s also crucial to evaluate the ventilation in your attic to ensure it’s working properly. Heat that builds up can cause significant damage to roofing materials and increase your utility costs. Have an inspection done to confirm that the attic is properly insulated and ventilated.
Fall
The falling leaves throughout autumn mean that your gutters and downspouts will need frequent checking to ensure the foliage hasn’t built up and caused clogs. Clogs in the downspouts and gutters can cause water to build up where it shouldn’t be going and cause significant damage to your home’s foundation and the roof.
Late fall is the ideal time to call roofers to inspect your roof and evaluate its condition. Your roof needs to be in top shape to be able to handle everything that the winter weather throws at it. Schedule the appointment as far into fall as possible but before snow and colder temperatures approach.
Avoid scheduling an appointment in the winter considering snow and ice can prevent an inspection. Fall is the perfect time to have repairs done, if any are required, so that your roof can protect you from winter weather.
Winter
Winter will be a busy season for homeowners, especially if there’s a lot of snow in the forecast. Gutters and downspouts need to stay clear of leaves and other debris to allow water to flow efficiently off the roof, which is one of the ways to prevent ice dams from forming. Ice dams not only cause water to back up onto your roof, but it can back up underneath your shingles. The weight of the ice dam itself can damage your roof’s structural integrity and cause potential damage underneath.
Get a roof rake if you don’t already have one so that, when it snows, you can use it from ground level to remove an accumulation of snow on your roof to prevent damage. Make sure to use the rake at a proper angle so the snow falls to the ground without falling on you first. If too much snow accumulates on your roof or an ice dam forms, consider calling a professional to remove it for safety and the sake of your home.
Inspect your roof after every winter storm to ensure there’s no damage. If you notice any potential signs, such as missing shingles, it’s necessary to call a roofer immediately. This is particularly important if there’s more inclement weather in the forecast or it’s early in the winter when you have a whole season of elements still headed your way.
Is Professional Maintenance Better Than Doing It Myself?
The homeowner needs to be proactive when it comes to taking care of their roof. Doing inspections from ground level is the safest method. Look for anything that doesn’t seem right, such as if shingles are missing or the roof appears to be sagging in one or more spots.
It can also be a good idea for homeowners to take a picture of their roof from all four sides of their property once a month. This will allow you to safely evaluate your roof’s condition and compare it to the previous month to see if anything has changed, such as if the roof is sagging or it’s starting to darken in spots. If you need repairs, the pictures can also be beneficial to show your roofer so that they can see how the damage progressed.
However, we recommend that a professional roofer handle most of the tasks regarding the roof. There are a few reasons for this, with safety being a primary one. A roofer has the professional training and correct equipment to handle the task safely. Attempting to do certain repairs yourself is a risk to your safety.
Depending on the process, it may cause more harm to your roof and result in having to call a professional roofer anyway to fix the initial issue and the additional damage. It’s not worth taking the chance when you’re putting your safety at risk and potentially causing yourself unnecessary added expense. When you choose a qualified professional roofer, you can feel confident that they will do the job the right way to prevent future issues and ensure that it’s in your home’s best interest.
Another major benefit is that roofers know what to look for regarding existing damage and what seems like it could pose a problem for you. For example, some homeowners might view a slightly curling shingle as not a big deal, whereas a roofer sees it as a potential leak in the making that could trigger water to go through the roof to your ceiling and damage its structural integrity.
Preventing roofing problems and repairing issues while they’re still minor is a much more time-efficient and cost-effective method than it is to let the damage worsen and cause you more stress, money, and energy.
Don’t let your roof cause unnecessary stress and hassle throughout the seasons. We can handle all roofing needs, from replacement to repair. You can count on us for roof coating, storm damage and tarping, gutters, siding, and insulation, too. Contact Red Bird Roofing in Carmel, Indiana, any time of the year for reliable roofing services.