Minnesota winters are undoubtedly rough, so once warmer weather comes around, spring roof maintenance is on the agenda. This is the perfect opportunity to give your roof a little extra TLC after dealing with harsh conditions like snow, ice, and strong winds, which can take a toll on its structural integrity.
Roof maintenance can extend the lifespan of your roof, make you aware of new damage, and prevent costly repairs. The following are some easy spring roof maintenance tips every Minnesota homeowner should keep in mind.
Inspect for Damaged Roofing
Getting a thorough look at your roof can be challenging after a particularly long and brutal Minnesota winter filled with snow and ice. However, spring brings warmer temperatures that melt the ice and snow blocking your view, so you have a clear look at the roof’s condition.
We don’t recommend going on the roof to do a self-inspection. Homeowners can look from ground level in as many directions as possible and from windows. Look for visible signs of damage, such as missing shingles, discoloration, bent flashing, and algae. You should also look around your property for wayward roofing materials, such as loose or missing shingles or granules in the gutter. Sometimes, you can’t spot missing ones on your roof, but the ones on the ground are surefire signs you have damage that requires professional roof repair.
Remember to check the ceilings of your front and back porches. Overlooking these areas is a common mistake, but signs such as warping or sagging could indicate that the roof above them needs repairing or replacing. These areas are particularly crucial to maintain for safety purposes, considering you, guests, pets, and other residents likely use these areas as entry and exit points every day.
Check the Interior for Signs of Water Damage
Minnesota homeowners should make frequent trips up to the attic to check for water damage, especially after a storm. If it’s been a while since you’ve done that, head up to the space to examine the ceiling and walls. Catching water-related issues early is essential to preserve the structural integrity of your roof and prevent fast-spreading mold and mildew issues.
Common signs of water damage you want to look for on the walls and ceiling are peeling paint, soft spots that look like bubbles, visible black mold, and discoloration like yellowing. If you see any damage, it’s important not to touch it, such as trying to remove the black mold yourself, poking at the water bubbles, or peeling or picking at the paint. It could worsen the damage and cause health problems, especially if it involves mold or mildew. A professional needs to come in and address the damage.
Schedule a Professional Inspection
Spring is an ideal time in Minnesota to have a professional inspection done on your roof. We’ll have full visibility as long as the snow and ice are melted, and we can get up on your roof to check everything from the flashing to the condition of your roofing material.
Spring is a busy season in Minnesota for roofing appointments, such as inspections, so reserving your spot early is ideal. Scheduling an appointment sooner rather than later allows you to get the task over with and helps preserve the structural integrity of your roof if there’s any damage. It also increases the chances of getting the time slot and date that best fits your schedule.
Once we complete our inspection, we will give you a full rundown of its condition and give you recommendations about what repairs, if any, you should schedule. Protecting your investment is crucial. A roof usually has a lifespan of several decades, but its condition also depends on several factors, such as its material, the quality of the original installation process and materials, and how well it was maintained during its life. We’ll advise you if a roof replacement is ideal, depending on its age and condition.
Schedule Repairs
Homeowners should ideally schedule recommended repairs as soon as possible, especially to fix extreme roof damage. The longer the repairs go without being fixed, the higher the chances are of the damage worsening. This puts your roof’s structure at risk and could increase the repair cost as the damage worsens. Minor issues can easily turn serious to the point that they may require an entire roof replacement for the safety of you and any other residents in the home.
Take Photographs
Taking photographs is one of the best tasks you can do as part of your roof maintenance during spring and throughout the rest of the year. They give you a reference point to look back on so you have a timeline of your roof’s condition, making it easier to notice if there’s any damage going forward as you take new pictures and look back on older ones.
Make sure you also take photos of the ceiling and walls in your attic as well as the ceiling to your covered porches to check if there’s any water damage. We’ll inspect your roof before starting any work, but if you take pictures of damage, you can send them to us so we can view them before checking out your property.
Clean Out Gutters and Downspouts
Some Minnesota homeowners only clean out their gutters and downspouts during autumn, but debris, such as leaves and seeds, builds up and creates blockages every season. Ice dams on your roof during the winter are one of the signs they’re likely clogged. In addition to causing problems like roof and foundation damage, clogged gutters and downspouts can rust from wet debris and eventually need replacing.
It’s important to hire someone to clean out the gutters and downspouts from this debris to prevent issues in the future. A professional can repair or replace damaged sections of gutters or install a gutter guard, especially before spring flowers and trees bloom. This prevents debris from blowing in and animals carrying it in themselves as nesting material.
Trim Branches
Some Minnesota homeowners feel that if the trees on their property look like they’re in good condition, they don’t have to worry about hiring an arborist to examine them. The issue is that many trees appear in excellent condition to the untrained eye but may have huge risks of falling over or branches breaking off.
Depending on how near or over your roof those branches hang, they could easily go through and cause severe structural damage. The worst-case scenario is an entire tree falling over right onto your home.
Hire an arborist who can evaluate the condition of the trees on your property by using their expert eye and professional skills. If they recommend trimming the trees or cutting them down, it’s important to act quickly, especially before a spring storm happens.
Don’t put off your spring roof maintenance. Schmidt Roofing in Burnsville has a team of experts who can provide reliable residential roofing and gutter services. Call us today or request service or a quote through our website.
