Why You Should Clean Your Roof Each Spring
Even if you already have a long list of spring cleaning tasks to take care of, it's in your best interest to take some time to clean off your roof this spring. Ask any Lakewood roofing contractor and they'll all agree that cleaning and maintaining your roof is critically important.
By taking the initiative to spring clean your roof, you'll help extend the lifespan of your roofing system and help ensure your property is well-protected. In addition, a clean roof will benefit your home's appearance and it may even increase its curb appeal too.
6 Steps To Spring Clean Your Roof From Our Lakewood Roofer
Before we dive into this checklist, we should note that roof work can be hazardous. If you plan on cleaning your roof yourself, please make sure you prioritize your own safety, exercise extreme caution, and take the appropriate safety measures (e.g., ladder spotters, hardhats, workboots with grip, etc.).
Avoid putting yourself at risk if you're not confident in your own safety. If you don't feel safe working on your roof, then let the professionals handle it. Many roofing contractors in Lakewood are more than willing to help with the roof cleaning process.
1. Clear Off Roof Debris
First things first: get rid of all the debris that's built up on your roof throughout the winter. You can use a few different tools for removing the debris (e.g., brooms, leaf blowers, etc.) or you can simply use your hands.
Just remember to only use tools that won't damage your roofing shingles.
2. Clean Out The Gutters
An overwhelming majority of homeowners dread this chore, and with good reason. Cleaning out your gutter systems can be a tedious, boring, and gross process. However, it is an integral part of your roof's spring cleaning checklist!
Your gutters are in place for one purpose: to safely divert water away from your property. When your gutters become clogged and can no longer function properly, they'll overflow during storms. Water may then spill over your gutters and cause damage to the fascia and soffit boards of your roof. That water can trickle down to cause further property damage to your siding and even your home's foundation!
To avoid that excessive water damage, you'll need to keep your gutters clear and functional all year round.
3. Trim Surrounding Tree Branches
Your home in Lakewood likely has at least one tree nearby. As much as you may enjoy the shade it provides, you might need to trim some of those branches.
Any branches that hang over your roof should be trimmed sooner rather than later. This activity serves two purposes:
- The branch could snap during a storm and cause significant damage to your roof
- The branches will drop leaves in the fall, which will collect and retain moisture. This may weaken your shingles in the future and lead to further clogged gutters too.
Keep your roof in tip-top shape this spring (and all year round) by trimming those branches that hang over your home. Again, if you don't feel safe with this task, just head to Yelp to find local tree trimming professionals to handle the work.
4. Wash Off Mold, Moss, And Mildew
While you're up on your roof, check for signs of mold, moss, or mildew growths on your shingles. These growths pose a significant danger to your roof's integrity, as they can cause moisture to remain trapped on your roof, which will weaken and rot the shingles over time (eHow). This can eventually lead to underlying structural problems that will compromise your roof's integrity.
Get ahead of the curve now by cleaning any moss, mold, or mildew growths that you can find on your roof. If you feel comfortable cleaning these growths on your own, you can use a number of store-bought or DIY cleaning products (BobVila).
On a cloudy day (to prevent evaporation), use a pump sprayer to apply one of those cleaning products to your roof and then let it sit for 15 minutes or so. Once enough time has passed, rinse the afflicted areas with a hose or bucket of water.
Let's be clear here: Never use a power washer on your roof! The high-intensity spray of the washer may remove mossy growths, but it may also strip your roof shingles of their granules. This will ultimately reduce the effectiveness of your shingles and may actually reduce the lifespan of your roof too. Only tile roofing systems can withstand the blast of pressure washers.
Once more, if you don't feel comfortable or safe during this activity, you can hire roofing professionals to clean these growths for you.
5. Inspect Your Roof Up-Close
The snow and ice of winter can take a toll on your roofing system. When you're on your roof, take some time to look a little closer at your roof. You might find signs of roofing damage, like:
- Loose or missing shingles
- Missing shingle granules
- Broken, dented, or warped shingles
- Rusted or loose flashing
Whether you notice these signs of damage or not, it never hurts to check off the final task of your roof's spring cleaning to-do list.
6. Book A Roof Inspection With Our Lakewood Roofer
Our roofing experts at Ethos will perform a comprehensive inspection of your property for FREE. We'll take the time to thoroughly inspect your home and check for any signs of exterior or interior roofing damage.
Our roofers will then sit down with you and discuss our findings in-depth so that you have a clear picture of your roof's current condition. We'll recommend appropriate next steps and provide you with a fair and accurate estimate!
So what are you waiting for? Contact Ethos Roofing & Restoration today to set up your roof inspection with our experienced Lakewood roofers.