When the sun starts to make its appearance, it’s time to get your roof ready for spring. Winter can wreak havoc on roofing materials especially when they’ve been lots of storms. As winter comes to an end and spring rolls about, you need to work with a Greenville roofing company to inspect and clean your roof and make any necessary repairs. This will improve the appearance of your home and prolong your roof’s life. Let’s look at some of the things you need to do.
Carry Out a Roof Inspection
If you can get on your roof at the start of spring easily and you know how to stay safe, you need to take a careful look at it. Otherwise, hire a roofing professional who knows exactly what to look for. Shingles that are broken, missing, cracked or curling need to be replaced. If the flashing around your vents, chimney or skylights is damaged, this also needs to be rectified.
Clear Pine Needles or Leaves Off the Roof
A couple of leaves or pine needles aren’t a serious cause for concern. However, if there are enough of them to collect moisture, you need to remove them. Otherwise, mildew can form. Leaves and other debris can also block your gutters and weigh down your roof. Use a gas-powered blower, soft broom, and cleaning brush to gently clean the roof. If you hire a professional, they’ll have the required tools and techniques to clean your roof without causing damage.
Take Care of Any Nearby Tree Limbs
Are there tree branches touching your roof or getting close to touching your roof? You need to trim these as soon as possible. Otherwise, they can scrape your shingles and remove the granules, causing your roof to deteriorate much more quickly than it should. If you don’t want to replace your roof prematurely, you must get those limbs trimmed back before they cause problems.
Take Steps to Prevent Moss Damage
Removing leaves and trimming trees will reduce the growth of the moss since the moisture will have a chance to dry up. While there are chemicals that can rid your roof of moss, they can cause damage to plants when they run off. It’s better to talk to your Greenville roofing company about installing copper or zinc strips along the ridgeline.
Protect Your Roof Against Mold
If you notice streaks of discoloration on your roof, you may have fungus, mold or algae which can erode your roofing material and lead to leaks. Some homeowners assume they can just power wash the roof to get rid of these streaks. However, the force can knock off the granules and cause your shingles to fail prematurely. Mold and algae can be treated with chlorine bleach or a copper sulfate solution. If your roof is badly damaged and you need to replace your shingles, you should look into getting algae-resistant and stain-resistant shingles. Prevention is always better than cure.
Look for Clogged or Damaged Gutters
You shouldn’t ignore your gutter system. Leaves, twigs, and other debris can easily get lodged in your gutters so you need to clean them out. Not only will this prevent water from flowing off your roof but the weight can also cause your gutters to collapse. Take the time to clean your gutters and ensure they are securely attached.
Check for Damage in the Attic
You also need to inspect the inside of your home, especially the attic. Look for signs of a leak such as dark water stains or other indicators of moisture. If your roof is leaking, your attic is likely to show the first signs of damage. You may notice sunlight coming in through cracks, excessive heat or humidity, or damage to the wood. If you see warping, sagging, chipping, or splintering, you may have a leak. The smell of mold or mildew is also a sign of excess moisture.
Have Your Roof Professionally Inspected by Greenville Roofing
If you know exactly what is happening with your roof, you’ll be able to fix it in a timely manner and ensure that it’s ready for spring. Even if you’ve already gone up on your roof and taken a look, you should still contact a roofer in Greenville, SC for an expert assessment. The team at Greenville Roofing is trained to detect problems that homeowners may not notice. Fixing small issues early can prevent you from having to undertake extensive and expensive repairs in the long run. You should, therefore, schedule an inspection at least once per year. Contact us today for a free consultation and benefit from our extensive experience.