Spring Cleaning the Roof: A 3 Step Checklist

Residential Roofing fort worth

Spring is here, and with it comes warmer temperatures that prompt everyone to enjoy the outdoors. This is a perfect time to inspect the condition of your roof, see how it fared through the winter and give it a good spring cleaning as you look ahead to the hot days of summer. It’s generally wise to inspect your residential roof once a year IF there have been no major storms. However, living in Dallas, you know how easily hail and wind storms can blow through. In that case, check at least twice a year or after an unusually harsh storm, advises Do it Yourself.

Here is a checklist to follow:

Check the Gutters

First, you’ll have to inspect your gutters and clean them out. Clogged gutters get very heavy and can pull away from your roof and siding, so ensuring they are free from debris will protect the state of your roof. Also, this will prevent leaks, overflowing water, and foundation damage. Get up on a ladder with a scoop and a bucket to remove all leaves, twigs, acorns and nests. Use a garden hose or leaf blower to flush out any remaining particles. Make sure your downspouts are positioned properly to encourage water runoff well away from the home.

Inspect the Roof

If you don’t have the time or inclination to get up on the roof, grab a pair of binoculars and check out the roof from the safety of the ground. Be on the lookout for:

  • Loose material
  • Wear around pipes
  • Penetrations or cracks
  • Loose or missing shingles
  • Damaged flashing
  • Crumbling chimney
  • Fungus or algae
  • Areas of rust
  • Loose fascia, coping or perimeter edge material

If tree branches are overhanging your home, cut them back with a chainsaw or tree trimmer. This will reduce the chance of damage to the roof during high winds, but it will also discourage the growth of mold and moss. That’s because mold and moss love shady moist areas. By cutting back overgrowth, you’re allowing the sun to get at the roof and dry it completely after rain storms. Another benefit of trimming back branches is that this deters critters like squirrels from getting onto your roof and nesting under the eaves or in the attic. Nests in downspouts and in chimneys can cause a lot of headaches later on.

Go Inside

Now it’s time to head indoors and check your top-floor ceilings and walls for signs of moisture damage. Get up into the attic and look for water droplets too. This could be condensation but it could also signal a leak that’s coming from underneath your roof. You may not even see signs of a leak from the outside.

This could be due to loose roofing material that has not been properly weatherproofed, leading to moisture accumulation under the roof covering. If you do have ceiling stains, you can easily cover up small spots with some paint; however, large water spots could be a sign of more serious damage and shouldn’t just be covered up. Sagging ceilings for sure need to be addressed by a professional.

Roof Repair Fort Worth TX

Contact Ferris Roofing in Dallas

Ferris Roofing Contractors provides inspections and annual maintenance in Dallas homes and businesses. We also service Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and surrounding areas with comprehensive residential and commercial roofing services. Contact us today at 817-532-5244 to learn more about our roofing maintenance, inspections and storm damage repair services.