4 Steps to DIY Spring Roofing Maintenance

4 Steps to DIY Spring Roofing Maintenance

Protect your home investment by maintaining one of your most valuable assets: the roof over your head. Instead of leaving it to chance, be sure to perform regular maintenance checks on your roof annually.

4 Steps to DIY Spring Roofing Maintenance

Step #1: Perform a Visual Inspection

Take the time to get to know your roof. Look for visible signs of damage like missing shingles, warping, or discoloration. Notice if certain areas are more prone to damage than other, be sure to take a closer look.

For example, if your roof has grain-coated asphalt shingles, you might notice that the grain is worn. As this happens, shingles become more prone to water damage. Additionally, if you notice places where pools of water collect, it might be time to call in a professional roofer.

Step #2: Do the Dirty Work

Plan a spring cleaning for your roof’s most important parts. Be sure to remove any visible moss and mold that may have built up between the shingles, as these eventually lead to damage and rot. The best method for clearing moss away from your roof, invest in a moss removal solution. Unlike power washing, which can further damage your shingles, the moss remover solution is sprayed on and brushed away with a broom.

Once you’ve cleared the roof, be sure to flush gutters and downspouts, removing the leaves, nests, and other debris that may have gathered there. Be sure that the downspouts are also debris-free by flushing them with water. This part of the process is messy, but well worth the time. As the water escapes, be sure the water is flowing away from your foundation.

Next, inspect soffits, fascias and vents for nests and debris. Animals often find these warm hiding places ideal for building their homes, but when damage occurs, birds and squirrels don’t have to buy a new roof. Be sure to check the roof’s entire perimeter, and clean accordingly.

Step #3: Secure your Flashing and Sealants

Now that the cleaning is all out of the way, it’s time to pull out your toolbox. Inspect the strips of metal that connect skylights or chimneys to the roof—this is called the flashing. Over time, wind and other weather can loosen flashing, which can lead to mold or water damage inside your home.

Make sure these seals are tight, if not, tack them back on securely. While checking flashing, it’s a good idea to simultaneously checking for cracked or weakened caulk. After scraping off the old stuff, the area should be cleaned and resealed with fresh caulk.

Step #4: When In Doubt

If you are uncertain about how to perform any of these roof maintenance steps, or don’t feel comfortable with your level of knowledge in the area, don’t hesitate to contact a professional roofing contractor.

If you live in New Jersey and aren’t sure where to begin your spring roofing maintenance, give us a call for a no-obligation roofing maintenance estimate.

For more than 25 years, LGC Roofing has provided honest and professional roofing maintenance and repairs in New Jersey. Call (609) 712-8157 to speak to our expert team today!

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3 Comments

  1. Posted May 17, 2011 at 10:48 am | Permalink

    Keeping your roof & gutters clean is very important. I’d recommend leaving roof cleaning to professionals – you don’t want to risk shingle damage when removing moss and mold off your roof.

  2. Posted May 23, 2011 at 2:41 pm | Permalink
  3. Posted May 26, 2011 at 5:16 am | Permalink

    Roofs are made to guard us from natural calamities. It is advisable to clean and inspect your roof more than twice a year. Especially, if your house is situated in the countryside, you must check your roof more often for mold and moss.

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  1. By | Racine Remodeling Contractor on July 9, 2011 at 8:16 pm

    [...] 4 Steps to DIY Spring Roofing Maintenance | NJ Roofing Blog [...]

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