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Your Ultimate Spring Roof Cleaning Checklist

May 14, 2018

Your Ultimate Spring Roof Cleaning Checklist

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone says spring cleaning?

Maybe it’s scrubbing the showers, or heavy dusting, or even going through your closet to donate clothing.

But if you’re like us, you might set your sights a little higher – to your roof.

4 Essential Things on Your Spring Roof Cleaning Checklist

While you’re staying warm and dry during the cold winter months, the exterior of your home is exposed to the elements. Snow and ice, rain, and even sunshine can all take a toll on your roof. Here are four tasks you should add to your spring cleaning checklist to ensure your roof is in tip-top shape.

1. Check for Discolored Areas

Roofs – especially older ones – will start to fade from the weather and sunlight. But your roof shouldn’t look spotty or streaky.

From the ground, look for disclosed spots that are darker than the surrounding area. This could be a sign that water has gotten underneath your roof, which could be harmful to the structure. It could also be caused by algae or even mold, creating potential health issues.

This issue can be addressed by cleaning any bacteria, mold, or algae growth with a bleach compound and replacing any missing shingles or roof tiles to keep water from pooling.

2. Look for Damaged Flashing

Even if your tiles and shingles aren’t missing, they could still be allowing water to collect if your roof flashing is not flush. Take a look at sections of the roof that have buckled or appear like waves. This is a sign that gaps could have formed, allowing water to sneak in and cause additional problems.

3. Clean Your Gutters

When it rains, the water on your roof has to go somewhere. If your gutters are clogged, that water will find someplace else to go.

We recommend clearing your gutters of leaves, twigs, or other obstructions at least twice a year so there are no clogs and the water can easily flow to your downspout. If cleaned properly, the water will drain away from your roof and foundation.

4. Trim Your Tree Branches

While not directly involved with your roof, you want to ensure branches aren’t hanging over your house. If your branches are keeping your roof in the shade, it could prevent portions of your roof from drying properly and encourage bacteria and algae growth.

In addition, if there’s a storm, those branches could fall, ripping off shingles or even putting a hole in your roof. Save the time and hassle of repairing a damaged roof by simply making sure your tree branches are trimmed.

Check Off Your Roof Spring Cleaning Tasks

We know spring cleaning can be a pain. But if you add these four simple tasks to your roof cleaning checklist, you'll help prevent more significant problems that will likely involve more time and money.