You take pride in your home, and you want to keep it in good shape. Neglecting roof maintenance can lead to costly damage and necessary repairs. You can avoid this problem by performing seasonal inspections and maintenance. Make sure your roof stays in good shape by following our seasonal maintenance schedule.
Spring
Summer can be a wet time of year in Durham, so it's important to spend your spring months ensuring that your roof is ready for rain! Here's what we recommend:
Clean out the gutters. Clean your gutters to remove clogs that send water spilling into the soil around your home's foundation. You can clean your gutters on your own, but to get best results (and avoid accidents), hire a professional.
Inspect and replace shingles. Missing shingles can lead to roof leaks and other damage. Look for missing and cracked shingles. Hire a professional roofer to replace shingles as needed.
Look for mold/algae growth. Mold and algae can stain your shingles, impacting your curb appeal. You can remove mold and algae on your own, but it's safer to hire a professional to do it for you. Unless you've got the right personal protective equipment, getting on your roof can be dangerous!
Summer
Summer is a time when warm weather and rain can take its toll on your roof. Here's how you can keep your roof in good condition.
Inspect for small holes. Small critters escaping the summer heat will look for a cool spot to spend time. Make sure that it's not your house! Inspect for small holes that could have been made by animals. If you find holes, hire a pest control person to remove any animals from your attic. Once you're certain the animals are gone, cover the holes to prevent more animals from entering.
Check skylights for damage. Skylights need periodic re-caulking. Check your skylights for a deteriorating seal around the edges, and make repairs as needed.
Check attic ventilation. Ensure your attic's ventilation is in good condition. Cover ventilation with hardware cloth to protect the ventilation from animals.
Fall
Summer is hot and muggy. That kind of weather can do damage to your roof. By the time fall rolls around, it's time to make repairs and prepare for winter! Here's how.
Trim nearby trees. Avoid damage from nearby trees by trimming overhanging branches. If the branches are too high, large or inaccessible, have this work done by a professional.
Examine chimney and flashing. Your home's chimney can sustain damage throughout the year, even when it's not in use. Get your chimney ready for the coming winter by having it inspected, cleaned, and if necessary, repaired. If the flashing around the chimney is damaged, get this repaired before winter comes.
Get a roof inspection. Getting a once annual roof inspection from a professional can help you avoid damage. Hopefully you've been monitoring the condition of your roof on your own throughout the year. Even with these small inspections, it's important to get a more official inspection from a professional. If your roof inspection turns up damage, it's important to have a professional make the repairs before the cold, brutal winter.
Winter
Cold temperatures in winter can be harsh on building materials like rooftops. In winter, snow, sleet and hail can do damage to shingles.
Remove debris. Check your roof for debris from winter storms. Debris can clog gutters, leading to ice dams and other problems. Have the debris removed by a professional when you notice it.
Check for sagging. Water damage can cause your roof to sag from wood rot. This is a sign of extensive damage and a roofing emergency. Talk to your roofer as soon as you see signs of a problem.
Maintain Your Roof Year Round
Regular roof maintenance makes shingles last longer. By making small repairs when damage is done, you can prolong the service life of your roof by years.
Pickard Roofing in Durham NC has a regular maintenance plan that will save you money and time. Contact us today to learn more about our regular maintenance plan, and to sign up for service.
At Pickard Roofing, we think Design. Craft. Renew. We are experienced in all types of roofing systems- and provide the right roofing design and selective craftsmanship for renewing our customer’s assets. We invite sustainable building customers to give us a call for your free evaluation. For over 90 years Pickard Roofing Company has installed countless metal, tile, slate, TPO, EPDM, and all types of shingle roofing in the Triangle. Our services include residential, commercial, custom architectural metal fabrication, and historical renovation.
