Spring will soon be upon us and I’m sure many of us will enjoy a good Spring clean! But how many of us know that cleaning the outside of your house is just as important as cleaning the inside?
One of the most neglected parts of your home can be the roof, but it’s also a place that can cause serious issues if it’s not cared for. Cleaning your roof is simple, but if you’re not sure where to start, we’ve created a spring cleaning checklist for you.
1. Check the gutters
The gutters are a prime spot for debris to accumulate. Gutters that are blocked or overflowing can cause issues with the water drainage from your roof and put increased pressure on the guttering material itself. Tears, leaks and blockages are issues that can easily be avoided by regular cleaning of the gutters.
Simply removing any trapped leaves, moss or whatever else has been collected will help clear the way for the rainfall to drain properly. Gutters are essential for protecting the foundations of your house, so any issues need to be resolved as soon as possible.
There are plenty of tools available to help maintain your guttering, but remember that if you’re not comfortable with working on them, your local roofing company, such as ourselves at S&J Roofing Bath, will be happy to help.
2. Inspect the tiles
Your roofing tiles withstand a lot throughout the year. It’s not uncommon for a few to come loose or crack during bad weather, however, this can leave your roof vulnerable to leaks and further damage.
It’s best to inspect the tiles on a warm day, free from the chance of rain, to avoid the possibility of slipping on slick surfaces. If you spot any missing tiles or damage that you cannot realistically fix yourself, make note of where and what the issue is to inform your local roofing specialist.
3. Identify any mould or moss
We’ve previously discussed how moss can affect your roof tiles and the damage that can ensue.
As you’re inspecting your tiles, keep an eye out for any moss or mould growing that you can alert your roofing specialist to. It’s important to not try to remove it yourself as this can actually cause further damage if done incorrectly.
It’s really important to have a specialist remove the moss as it can cause severe issues if it’s left untreated.
4. Check any skylights
If you have a skylight, it’s important to remember to check it too. Skylights can benefit from a spring clean, whether you’re cleaning the glass or removing the debris that can collect around the perimeter of the seal. In fact, most skylights require a good deep clean once or twice a year.
Ensuring you’re being gentle and checking any after-care instructions given to you after installation is key to maintaining a well-looked-after skylight.
5. Inspect your flashing
Another area for your Spring cleaning checklist that is often overlooked is your flashing and/or seals. These are particularly prominent around chimney stacks and are key to protecting against leaks and water damage.
During bad weather, they can be displaced or damaged so it’s important to check whether they are in the correct position or need to be reattached.
6. Trim trees
The most common contributor to external debris and damage is foliage and trees within close proximity to your roof. Overhanging branches pose a huge risk to your roof and can create extensive damage if they break or fall onto your house.
Remembering to cut back any foliage that could affect your home is really important, especially during Spring when they may soon grow even larger.
7. Schedule regular maintenance
If you spotted any issues while going through your Spring roof cleaning checklist, it may be time to call a professional. Regular maintenance checks can save you from a lot of issues in the future. Well-trained roofing professionals can often spot issues before they’ve even had a chance to develop into anything noticeable to the average eye.
At S&J Roofing Bath, we recommended regular inspections of your roof to help you in the long run. Take a look at the services we offer or get in touch with us to see how we can help you today.