We’re already in full swing into spring. However, there’s a good chance you want to be prepared for the upcoming year. Just so you avoid some issues that might’ve struck you recently. In other words: last winter might’ve left certain surprises that you’ve treated poorly (otherwise, they wouldn’t be surprises). Okay, so what’s the main dish on today’s menu? You might’ve guessed, but we’re talking about (professional) roof inspection here. In the article you’re about to read, we’ll show you some tips on how to prepare your roof for spring. Once you’re done reading it, you’ll know how to avoid future issues and pay less for roof repairs than you’re supposed to!
#1 Gutter Trouble
Okay, so let’s begin with the gutters! During the colder period of the year, our roof gutters get filled with various debris. We’re talking twigs (of all shapes and sizes), leaves, chunks of ice, etc. Needless to say, that quickly leads to your gutters being all clogged up. To phrase it differently: they’ll have some issues enabling the water to flow from the roof to the ground. What happens next, then? You’ll have some standing water on your roof (with nowhere to go). That can create a whole new palette of problems, as one can guess.
Here’s another thing: when spring comes, everything blossoms, right? Right. That’s why all those little gifts of spring (blossoming flowers and fruit) might end up on your roof. Ensure there are no trees nearby with an “objective” to stuff your gutters with debris. All in all: make sure your gutters are clean before the spring showers begin!
#2 Check Your Attic to Prepare Your Roof for Spring
One of the ways you can prepare your roof for spring and check if winter left some issues behind is to take a closer look at the current state of your attic (even if it’s a place you’re quite afraid to visit). Checking your attic every once in a while for daylight intrusion is your best weapon against missing/misplaced shingles or other issues associated with the hey-man-there’s-a-hole-in-your-roof package. You want to notice problems as soon as they appear so that you can react in the best possible manner. Aside from checking for signs of daylight intrusion, pay attention to see if there are any damp beams or patches of standing water in your attic (you’ll want to check your roof’s peak since water runs downhill). And if you notice there’s mold, you’ll want to react ASAP since that’s a clear sign that you’ve got a massive moisture buildup to deal with!
#3 We Sure do Love Animals But…
…your roof’s not a mini-zoo, or, at least, it shouldn’t become one. Many animals will, after their off-season breaks and everything, find your roof a bit too appealing for their little nests. Most of these animals will inflict some good damage to your roof as they can dig or chew or burrow pieces of your roofing. All in all: they’ll create something you’d call a messy situation. You’ll want to deal with nests before any hatching and babies show up. Animals become pretty darn dangerous once they notice their young ones are in trouble. In other words: good luck with removing them from your roof without a good fight! Also, your tender heart might break at the idea of evicting the little ones and their parents, so you might even let them nest on your roof.
#4 Have Professional Roofers Take a Look at it
We’re not saying you’re not capable of noticing a missing shingle or something. We’re saying that a thorough roof inspection might be just the thing you need because it reveals some subtler issues that might be affecting your roof. You don’t want any of them to become less and less subtle, trust us. Needless to say, a professional roofer’s your best option out there! If you want to guarantee your roof stays safe and sound once the spring comes, you should conduct this kind of search every once in a while! Going DIY-roof-inspection-style isn’t so much recommended. Think about it – if you were to relocate, you would undoubtedly hire professionals such as zaptmovers.com who can safely relocate your belongings. It should be no different when considering a roof inspection. Both moving and roof-related matters entail professional assistance.
#5 Documentation
It’s safe to say a roof leak is enough to put anyone into panic mode. However, instead of losing your mind about it, make sure you gather all the necessary (essential) documentation (such as the homeowner’s insurance policy) in one place. You’ll want to know that you’re protected against this kind of an issue, and you’ll want to know who you can contact once the roof problems appear! Also, you’ll want to review your warranty to see what it does and doesn’t cover. Stick to the rules proposed by the documents and make sure your roof always stays under warranty!
#6 Start Fixing
Last but not least, on the list of tips on how to prepare your roof for spring – we’ve finally got some action! Once you’ve pinpointed the issue – it’s time to do some good old fixing! So, what’s there to be done? You’ll have to check to see if your gutters are safely attached to your home and roof. Sometimes, snow can build up and cause them to turn over (pulling their anchors loose). Oh, and have you noticed there are some missing/misplaced shingles? Make sure you handle them, too! Also, if something seems hardly doable – it’s best you contact professionals to take care of it! You might think you’re wasting money, but you’re saving some in the long run! If you approach specific issues without a good strategy, you might even pay more than you would by hiring pros!
Photos courtesy of unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/syUmgOxHYos, https://unsplash.com/photos/SmrkbDXhkBA, https://unsplash.com/photos/2yDLUQtU4SI, https://unsplash.com/photos/TswOPhWcrmQ