Spring Roof Maintenance Guide
Spring is in full swing, and now is the best time of year to get an array of outdoor projects done, particularly on and around your roof. Roofs can be very difficult environments to work around.
They get uncomfortably warm in summer, with many roofing materials absorbing heat and thus creating extremely hot conditions. Meanwhile, it is usually too cold and too wet for effective work to take place in the winter. This makes Spring the ideal time – not too hot and not too cold.
However, with the wild winter weather having just passed, you’re probably going to find your roof in a bit of a state.
Even if you got lucky and avoided any serious wear and tear, but this can make it hard to know what you’re looking for when it comes to general roof maintenance. So, what should you fix, and what should you leave alone? We’ve put this guide together to give you the answer.
Contents
Gutters and Pipes
Gutters and pipes tend to get very blocked during the winter, with dead leaves falling continuously from October to January and often getting blown or washed into your roof drainage. Checking for this is important, as blocked gutters and drains can lead to serious water damage that can cause leaks and even lead to the weakening of your roof.
Luckily, this issue is not only easy to spot but relatively easy to solve too. Simply removing the leaves from your gutter is a fairly straightforward process. Getting them out of your drainpipes is a little more difficult, but there are several ways to get the job done.
A wet-dry vacuum, hot water, vinegar and baking soda mixture, or simply pulling the leaves from the drainpipe are all examples of methods that have often proved successful solutions.
Keeping your gutters and pipes clean and in good working order through spring will ensure they are ready for summer which – while usually warm and dry, can bring about unexpected downpours and storms that will push your gutters to their limits. This means it is vital to get them prepared.
Water Damage
Water damage can come from multiple places, around your roof, from leaks in your roofing materials to rot amongst your supports. Water damage can be one of the trickiest roof problems to spot in spring, with the remnants of the wet weather often making it difficult to tell water damage apart from the rest of your roof, which may just be wet from rainfall.
One of the best things you can do is investigate your roof area from the inside, looking at the high walls, ceilings, or within your loft space. Damp on the inside of your home is the absolute best evidence of water damage, with leaks, cracks in the ceiling, and rot in the wood all signs to watch out for.
Depending on the severity of your water damage, you may need to call in an expert as soon as possible. Water problems can be catastrophic when it comes to your roof, and it is best to tackle them as soon as it is spotted. Sealing cracks and replacing rotting beams are two of the potential projects you may need to partake in.
Roof Flashing
Roof flashing is usually made from lead, which is a hardy material that can last many years. However, if they are going to give way and take damage, then it is likely going to be due to extreme weather coupled with the natural wear and tear that comes with age. Roof lead flashing can be found on roof valleys, skylights, edges, and chimneys.
Check the caulk of your flashing to make sure that it remains properly sealed. Also, check for rust along your flashing – if you spot any, you’ll likely need to replace it to ensure that your flashing can continue to function. Flashing is very durable, but also tends to tear – check for evidence of this as well.
Repairing flashing can be fairly straightforward depending on the issue at hand. However, you may also need to call in an expert if the damage done to your flashing is beyond a simple repair or replacement. It is particularly important that flashing is installed properly as major issues can occur on the structures they surround if they are not correctly applied.
Pest Control
Animals are hard at work through Autumn trying to find a place to stay during the winter – if care isn’t taken to prevent it, that place can be your roof. Birds, mice, and squirrels are the most notable culprits in the UK, though other creatures such as multiple insect species can also be found hibernating in your roof space.
As spring comes around, these animals will start to grow livelier as they eat, mate and breed. If you leave them on your roof, they may set up a nest and raise their young, and in the case of all bird species, you’ll then have to wait until they have vacated completely before you can start removing the next and clearing up after them.
This is why it is best to act quickly when it comes to ensuring these creatures don’t settle in. Getting an expert in will also give you a second opinion and provide you with the benefit of having someone on board who is more aware of what can and can’t be done with animals who have recently moved into your roof.
Do I Need an Expert to Help?
You may need an expert to help you out if you find problems with your roof that will require more than minor repairs to be restored to full working order. Large cracks and tears in the roof works, broken flashing or an abundance of pests may require you to call in a professional to help you out.
It can be daunting getting hold of a tradesperson – especially if you’re someone who likes to minimise costs. However, getting a well-reviewed roofer with plenty of good press and a competitive quote will go a long way to seeing your roof getting properly repaired. Ask friends, family, and neighbours to see if they can recommend someone to you.
Your hired tradesperson may also be able to point out to you other problems with your roof that you have not noticed. Certain roof problems are difficult to spot unless you’re someone with experience carrying out construction and repairs on them regularly. They can also give you suggestions on how to keep your roof in good shape in the future.
If you have any more questions, do not hesitate to get in contact with our award-winning customer service team at 01295 565 565 or using the handy chat box below. With years of experience and knowledge on all of our products, they’ll be happy to help answer any questions you may have about your latest roofing project.
