Spring Has Sprung: 3 Steps to Get Your Roof Ready for April Showers
Now that winter is officially over, you might think that your roof is in the clear. Unfortunately, that's not necessarily true. In fact, your roof – and your home – may face serious threats now that spring rains are on their way. Those seasonal rains can wreak havoc on your roof, which in turn can spread to the interior of your home. This is particularly true if your roof leaks. Before the rains arrive, it's a good idea to give your roof a thorough once-over. Here are three steps you should take to make sure your roof is ready for the rain.
Clean Your Rain Gutters
If you think your gutters have nothing to do with roof protection, you're mistaken. Your rain gutters are actually your roofs first line of defense against rain damage. As the rain flows off your roof, the gutters allow it to drain away from your home. If your gutters are clogged, the water will overflow, causing it to seep under the edges of your shingles. When that happens, the shingles will lift, and the wood substructure below the shingles will become saturated with water. You'll be left with damaged shingles and a leaky roof. To prevent this type of damage, you should clean your rain gutters before the seasonal rains arrive.
Look for Light
Once you've cleaned your gutters, you should head up into your attic. Some roof damage isn't visible from above, so you need to look at things from a different perspective. During the day, while the sun is over your home, take a look inside your attic. Look for places where you can see daylight coming through your roof. Those areas where the light is shining through are areas where your roof is no longer doing its job. Mark those areas with chalk so that you can identify the problem to your roofing contractor.
Replace Missing or Damaged Shingles
After you've identified problem areas over the attic, you'll need take a look at your roof. Look for areas where the shingles are missing or damaged. If the damage is confined to a few small places, you can replace the shingles by yourself. However, if you're noticing large patches of missing or damaged shingles, you should talk to your roofing contractor about a replacement.
Now that the spring rains are approaching, it's time to get your roof ready. Use the simple tips provided here to make sure you're not left with a soggy mess this spring. To learn more, contact a professional gutter service.
