Spring has long been associated with being a great time of year to do some cleaning, air out the house, dust off the garden tools, and freshen up the yard. Depending on your ambition and how much you got done in the fall, the list of projects can get quite lengthy. And for good reason: the change of the season is always a good time to do your regular home maintenance, especially when it comes to your roof.

Regular roof maintenance will protect and extend the life of your roof (and your home). The key is to stay on top of things, which is as simple as inspecting your roof twice a year in the spring and fall and doing a bit of routine maintenance.

Here’s our pro-recommended spring roof maintenance checklist:

1. Remove all loose debris from your roof. Over the winter months, leaves, branches, pine and fir cones, and other debris tends to collect on roofs. Even if you don’t have large trees around your house, it’s still a good idea to take a look and blow off what you find. Left unchecked, debris accumulates in your roof valleys, around vents, chimneys, and skylights, trapping moisture or causing water to back up under shingles which can damage your roof’s sheeting.

2. Treat your roof for moss. Besides trapping moisture, moss growing on your roof will pull the granules off of your shingles and could cause your roof to lose its warranty. We recommend treating your roof with a coating of zinc sulfate in early spring right before moss is in bloom.

3. Clean the gutters and downspouts. Debris accumulation in your gutters can cause a host of problems beyond the more obvious one of water overflow. Gutters clogged with leaves and other debris can lead to pest infestations, rot, and water damage to your roof and siding. Gutters weighted down by debris are also at risk of pulling away from your house. Even if you have gutter screens, it’s still a good idea to inspect your gutters and make sure they are free of any debris or impediments.
   Remember to check your downspouts, too, as these can also become clogged. You should be able to hear water flowing through downspouts—if you don’t, something is wrong. We recommend installing a clean-out screen in your downspouts to keep your ground pipes from clogging, which can be costly to have cleared.

4. Inspect your roof for loose or missing shingles. Winter storms can wreak havoc on a roof, no matter the age. So it is always a good idea to inspect your roof in the spring. Any missing or damaged shingles should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent possible leaks and further damage. If you do find missing shingles, you should also check your attic for any signs of leaks.
   If you have a shake roof, you should also look for signs of rot. Rodents have been known to burrow down through rotten shakes and make themselves at home in the attic below. The damage can be extensive and costly to repair.

5. Inspect the flashing around pipes, vents, chimneys, and skylights. Look for any signs of damage, including splits, cracks, and aging or missing caulk. Make these repairs right away to prevent leaks and water damage to the roof.

Getting up on the roof probably isn’t a highlight of spring for most homeowners, but inspecting your roof every spring and fall (see our winterization tips) is essential to protecting your roof and preventing costly repairs or early roof replacement. Hiring a professional roofing contractor to inspect your roof for you is an excellent way to keep your roof healthy as they will know what to look for and can make any necessary repairs.

The experienced roof technicians at Pacific West Roofing offer complete roof inspection, maintenance, and repair services so you can remain safely on the ground and have peace of mind that your roof is in tip-top shape. Give us a call today, before problems occur!