Have You Crossed “Inspect the Roof” Off Your Spring To-Do List?

by | May 18, 2018 | Roofing

insulation, summer, attic insulationA little bit of attention and care this spring can make a real difference for your roof’s long-term health. After a winter filled with fluctuating temperatures and varying precipitation, it’s important to identify and fix problems early to make sure your roof is ready to stand up against whatever weather this spring throws at it.

Learn more about the actions you can take to keep your roof in tip-top shape this spring:

1.      Inspect Your Roof

Evidence of water damage inside your home might include:

  • Stains on your ceiling.
  • Evidence of sagging.
  • Dampened walls.
  • The presence of mould or mildew.

Outside, there are other problems you need to keep an eye out for like:

  • Loose or corrupted shingles.
  • Significant accumulation of granules in your eavestroughs.
  • Rust on flashing.
  • Damaged seals.
  • An overabundance of needles or leaves on your shingles, which can trap moisture and cause mould, mildew, algae, or fungus to spread.

Sometimes the fix might be as simple as clearing some debris or replacing a shingle or two. If the damage is severe or your roof is reaching the end of its useable life, however, it might be time to consider a new roof.

Does your roof need to be repaired, or should it be replaced? Read our blog to find out!

2.      Clean Your Eavestroughs

Now that those April showers have started to roll in, you need to make sure your eavestroughs will be ready to handle all the water they bring:

  • Clean them to get rid of any built-up leaves, twigs, dirt, and sediment.
  • Ensure they’re securely fastened. If you notice any loose hangers or nails, tighten or replace them so your gutters hang tightly along your roof line.

Cleaning your eavestroughs can be a DIY task for many homeowners. To get the job done, you’ll need five things – a hose, a trowel, a scrubber, a ladder, and protective gear (like goggles and gloves):

  • Start by using your trowel (or similar tool) to scoop debris out.
  • You can then rinse your gutters, directing the water pressure towards your downspouts and making sure you don’t spray your roof (high-pressure hoses can damage shingles by causing granules to dislodge).
  • Give the gutter a scrub and, if necessary, one final flush with the hose.
  • Finally, inspect your downspouts to make sure water is flowing properly.

Remember to always make safety your number one priority. Ideally you should have someone with you to stabilize the ladder while you’re on it. If that’s not possible, at least be sure someone knows what you’re doing.

3.      Check Your Chimney

Fireplaces can be a blessing on cold winter nights for the heat they give to your home, but chimneys can also be susceptible to seasonal damage. Look for signs of trouble like cracks in the mortar or damaged chimney caps.

Having a well-functioning chimney cap is the key to:

  • Reducing Moisture: Chimney caps are designed to keep rain out of your chimney. If water gets in, it can lead to a host of problems including damage to liners, dampers, and mortar joints, as well as the formation of mildew and mould.
  • Deterring Animals: Chimneys can be dangerous places for animals. They typically aren’t able to get out once they get in, ultimately dying unless a Pest Controller is able to intervene and rescue them. Installing a properly fitted chimney cap will prevent wildlife from accessing your chimney in the first place.
  • Discouraging Debris Buildups: Without a chimney cap, the wind can carry outside debris (twigs, leaves, etc.) into your chimney—creating a fire hazard as it accumulates.

Ensuring your chimney has the right cap in place will help to maintain your chimney’s performance and keep your home protected.

4.      Trim Branches Away from Your Roof

Keeping branches clear of your roof serves two purposes:

  1. It minimizes the likelihood that a gust of wind will be able to tear a limb loose and send it crashing onto your roof.
  2. It deters animals (particularly squirrels) from using it as their own personal diving board. Spring is heyday for animals and their babies and—as adorable as they are—you don’t want your home to turn into their nursery.

How can you keep animals out of your attic? Check out our blog for five handy tips!

Does Your Roof Need a Springtime Check-Up?

A professional post-winter roof inspection will typically include services like:

  • Inspecting your roof for problems.
  • Repairing leaks.
  • Securing loose flashing.
  • Resealing vent stacks.
  • Replacing shingles and nails that have popped out.
  • Recaulking chimney flashing.
  • Removing debris from your roof.

If any additional repairs are required before or after your spring roof inspection, your roofer should discuss them with you before starting any of the work.


Could your roof use some post-winter attention this year? Contact the experts at Herb Lodde Roofing today to schedule your free in-home estimate!

Like this? Check out:

Request A Free Estimate Now