Spring Maintenance Tips For Taking Care Of Your Roof in NJ

Spring Maintenance Tips For Taking Care Of Your Roof in NJ

When springtime comes around, it is time to clean and inspect your roof in New Jersey. There may be many items on your spring cleaning checklist, but you should never forget the most crucial part of your home: the roof. If you want your roof to last for years to come, spend a day taking care of these roof chores during the springtime. Here are a few maintenance tips to protect your roof.

Clean the Gutters

Gutters and downspouts are essential elements of your roofing system. After a harsh winter, your gutters will be filled with leaves and other types of debris. You will want to clean the gutters in the springtime so that they are ready for those rainstorms. A thorough cleaning can prevent water damage or potential leaks in the gutter system. Plus, a spring cleaning will help prolong the roof’s lifespan. If you don’t want to take a ladder and head to the roof, contact a New Jersey roofing company to help you with this task.

Inspect the Shingles and Flashing

You will want to check any areas with flashing and shingles. Ensuring these areas are not damaged will go a long way to extend the longevity of your roof. While you may not want to climb to the roof, you can always examine these areas from the ground. You can look for any missing shingles or gaps. If any components look out of place, it may be time to call a professional team to inspect your roof.

Clear Away Nearby Branches

As you inspect your roof, check for areas with hanging tree branches over the home. These branches could snap and damage your roof during a storm. You will want to call a professional tree company to remove the branches. Otherwise, you could get hurt. Along with preventing property damage and accidents, clearing the branches can help stop leaves from clogging up your gutters.

Check for Moss and Mold

Some homes can develop moss or mold on the surface of the roof. When there is excess moisture on the roof, it can cause mold or moss to grow. By clearing debris off the roof, you can cut down the chances of this growth. If you see any moss on the roof, there are several ways to combat the growth. You can use a chemical cleaning solution to remove those green spots. However, many homeowners use copper or zinc strips to prevent growth from forming. Moss can affect the appearance of your roof, but mold is more detrimental to the roof. Mold can cause the materials to deteriorate, creating leaks in the structure. Like moss, there are chemical cleaners that will remove mold from the surface. If you want to be extra cautious, schedule an inspection with an NJ roofing contractor to assess the roof.

Look for Any Missing Components

You can also make a quick visual inspection from the ground. Take a look for any missing components on your roof. As previously mentioned, you want to look out for damaged flashing and shingles. However, don’t forget about missing vents or other vital components on the roof. During the harsh winter weather, the ice and snow can easily dislodge these elements. If there are any missing components, you need to call a roofing contractor to inspect and repair the roof. Some homeowners might want to wait, but that will cause the problems to get worse and cost you a significant amount of money for repairs.

Check the Home’s Interior Spaces

Not all roofing issues are found on the outside of the home. You will want to walk around your house, looking for signs of damage on the ceiling or in the attic. Sometimes, the damage will not be present on the roof but will show signs of trouble within the interior structure. You might see stains that could be from water damage. If there are mildew smells, that may be the result of mold. When these signs are present, it could mean you have significant damage to your roof.

Get a Professional Inspection

There is one last item on your checklist. You should think about hiring a professional to conduct a roof inspection. These contractors are trained to look for any signs of damage on the roof. Usually, you should have the roof inspected at least once a year, but it is recommended to schedule a biannual checkup. Not only will you have a professional examining your roof, but it is a safer way to inspect the structure. Many homeowners head to the roof and get injured. A professional roofer knows how to stay safe when looking around the roofing areas.