With the chilly winter months behind us and the warmer, wetter weather approaching, now is the time for spring cleaning. When creating your to-do list, remember that your exterior is just as important as your interior, especially when it comes to your roof.
Though gutter and roof maintenance are important year-round, spring is the prime time to have your roof inspected and have any repairs made. To ensure that your roof has the longest lifespan possible, check out these five roof maintenance tips:
1. Clean Gutters and Trim Trees
When the seasons change, the leaves change to beautiful oranges, yellows, and reds before falling off the trees. Falling leaves don’t just fall in your yard, though; many of them will end up in the gutters around your home as well. If you don’t spend time cleaning out the gutters, those leaves will create a problem as more precipitation falls and water can’t make it to the drains.
As leaves and tree limbs fall on your roof, the leaves clump up and collect water and moisture which can lead to extensive roof damage. By not cleaning the leaves off your roof, you can cause a domino effect of rot and damage that will be expensive to repair. The water that collects on the fallen leaves will cause the shingles below, and eventually the roofing beneath, the leaves to rot. This can then lead to a leak in your home, causing even further damage. In addition, the clumps of wet leaves put uneven pressure on the roof which cause the beams to weaken over time.
2. Get A Roof Inspection
It’s always a good idea to have someone look at your roof before spring arrives so you can fix problems you may be having right away. It is much easier to repair a roof in the fall when there is no snow or ice to worry about. If you wait too long, you will have a much bigger problem on your hands.
3. Invest in Roof Repairs as Needed
If your roof inspector indicates that you need repair work on a certain part of your roof, make sure you take care of that now before it’s too late. Small problems can easily turn into costly repairs, so it’s always best to enter a new season with a strong, sturdy roof. If you maintain your roof properly throughout the year, you won’t have to worry about excessive repair costs.
4. Have Your Attic Checked
Roofing experts say the majority of U.S. homes do not have proper roof ventilation, which can lead to severe roof damage. The Federal Housing Administration recommends at least 1 square foot of ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic space.
It’s also important to be mindful of the vents you do have. Make sure that exhaust and intake vents are all clear and free of obstructions, including insulation.
5. Make Sure You’re Covered
In addition to checking the condition of your roof, you should also check your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure you have enough coverage! According to CoreLogic and as reported in Consumer Reports, about 60 percent of all U.S. homes are underinsured by an average of 20 percent.
In addition, many homeowners don’t realize that a standard policy doesn’t cover everything. For example, 56 percent incorrectly think that flood insurance is covered by a standard policy, according to Princeton Survey Research Associates International. So, it pays to double-check your policy to see what will and won’t be covered in the event of a disaster.
Have questions or need more information? Contact us today at 208-745-9002 or request a bid online! Make sure to visit us on Facebook for more news, tips and information on the best ways to care for your home (and roof!).
