As the weather gets warmer, you’ll probably start spring cleaning to help your home recover from the winter cold. Along with sprucing up your home’s interior, you also need to pay attention to the outside, especially your roof. This part of your house protects your whole property from the elements. Cold temperatures and winter debris can wear down on it. Look for the common spring roof problems while maintaining your home to keep it in excellent condition this season.
Having a professional roofing team inspect your roof offers the best protection for this part of your home. These specialists have the experience and expertise to find spring roof issues you might overlook. Remember these seven roofing problems to look for in spring as you clean and take care of your home in the warmer weather.
1. Damage From Trapped Moisture
Water from heavy snow and debris can get stuck inside your roof. You’ll want to deal with trapped moisture as soon as possible to prevent leaks inside your home, especially as the spring rainstorms start. Old plants shed their leaves and needles in the fall and winter, and the wind carries them to your rooftop. This debris can get caught in gutters and on low-sloped roofs, trapping moisture that could wear down on your home.
Leaves, in particular, draw in moisture from the air as they rot, which then spreads throughout the roof shingles, causing long-term water damage. Besides debris, winter snow and wind can wear down on your shingles. Melted snow soaks into the roof and causes leaks and condensation in different rooms in your home. Heavy snow can also cause some parts to sag. Excessive moisture could lead to mold growth when left untreated, which affects your home’s indoor air quality. Over time, wet roof insulation increases your energy bills.
How to Fix Trapped Moisture Damage on Your Roof
Check your roof’s structural integrity before the rainstorms start in spring. To prevent or fix damage from trapped moisture, make it a point to clean the roof. Things like branches and leaves may seem harmless, but they can speed up your roof’s wear and tear. A professional team can also inspect your roofing shingles and framing for rotted wood, damaged shingles and water leaks. Repairing these worn-out components can save you money on costly repairs and protect your home from leaks.
2. Failed Membranes and Underlayment
The protective layers under your roof’s shingles can wear down and allow water to leak through the gaps. Some of these components expand and contract as the temperature fluctuates. After changing size for a long time and being exposed to moisture, the membranes and underlayment can weaken. Older membranes that may have experienced some wear and tear in the winter might develop cracks during the cold season that can worsen in the spring as the weather gets warmer and the material expands.
Your roof’s underlayment keeps moisture from entering the other parts of your roof and even leaking inside the home. Delicate materials that expand and contract as the temperature changes can crack and warp, leaving gaps between them. As the material separates, water can sneak inside and damage the flashing. You may also find leaks or pests inside your home if the rest of your roof is damaged.
How to Fix Failed Membranes and Underlayment
You’ll need to inspect your roof’s foundation as you conduct your spring maintenance routine. As you walk around your roof, you may have difficulty seeing under your shingles unless you get up close to them. Consult a professional roofing company to conduct an inspection and replace any damaged or worn-out materials so that your roof continues to protect the inside of your home. You may also want to have them apply a high-quality sealant to your shingles for additional protection.
3. Damaged, Loose or Missing Shingles
Your roof’s shingles provide weather protection and aesthetic appeal for your home. Shingles can warp or split at the edges when exposed to freezing temperatures. Even though most shingle materials are durable against weather damage, older materials can wear out after constant exposure to the elements. Having your roof installed by an inexperienced contractor can also shorten its life, resulting in damaged, loose or missing shingles.
Since gaps in your shingles reduce your house’s curb appeal, you’ll want to get them replaced as soon as possible. Missing, loose or damaged shingles could bring water, debris and pests into your home. Leaks could encourage mold growth and wood rot throughout the various building materials, and pests carry disease and cause structural damage to your property.
How to Fix Damaged Shingles
After the snow has melted and the weather gets warmer, you can inspect your roof, especially on the edges, for uneven, split or curled shingles. You may also want to look around your yard for shingles or fragments that may have blown off in the last winter storm. Contact a professional roofing company to replace any worn-out or missing shingles to maintain your house’s appearance and protect the inside from the elements.
Besides the roof itself, you may also want to inspect your gutters’ downspouts for shingle granules. You’ll need to contact a roofing professional if you notice any granules inside or underneath your gutters. They can inspect and replace your shingles to ensure that they last a long time and withstand future storms.
4. Pest Infestations
Imperfections in your roof could leave your home vulnerable to squirrels, raccoons, birds and insects. As the weather gets warmer, animals and insects come out of hibernation and look for food and shelter to prepare for the spring season. Structural damage to your roof welcomes pests into your home and allows them to settle into your attic or crawl space. As you inspect your roof, keep an eye out for loose shingles, damaged flashing or worn-out chimneys that create gaps where rodents and insects can sneak inside.
Pests can damage your roof, chimney and eaves as they try to make a nest on your property and multiply. Rodents such as squirrels, mice and raccoons can damage your electrical wiring and ventilation systems. They can also settle into your insulation or between walls and make a mess in the process. In extreme cases, any critters with access to the rest of your home can carry disease and contaminate your food supply. Carpenter ants and other wood-loving insects can eat through rotted wood on your roof.
How to Deal With Pest Infestations
As you prepare for spring cleaning your roof, consider trimming nearby trees and branches away from your property to prevent climbing animals from reaching the top of your home. Make your home as unappealing to animals as possible by removing standing water and dealing with mold growth and rotted wood. Schedule an inspection with a professional roofing company to deal with any damage that could attract pests.
Before calling a specialist, inspect your property and pay attention to any unusual markings, sounds or smells around your property. You may already have a pest infestation if you notice many wild animals gathering around your home. It’s helpful to call a local animal removal company before fixing your roof to deal with your pests humanely. After you’ve had these creatures removed, call your roofing company to check out the damage and make the necessary repairs.
5. Active Leaks
Harsh weather conditions in the winter can damage your roofing and create gaps between the components. Once the weather gets warmer and the snow starts to melt, you may discover that the cracks and damage on your roof brought leaks inside your home. Whether it’s due to hail or strong winds, start by checking for signs of weather-related damage. Leaving these unaddressed puts your roof at risk of leaks and can hasten the wear and tear of your house’s first line of defense against the weather.
Active leaks in your roof can cause costly water damage and other issues inside your home. Excess moisture could stain your ceilings or walls, especially in your attic or crawl space. It could also cause mold growth that could lead to a decline in indoor air quality and bother people with allergies. In extreme cases, the water that leaks into your home can damage your furniture and cause flooding on the floors, attracting mosquitoes and other pests.
How to Fix Active Leaks on Your Roof
Since water can seep through your roof and affect other parts of your property, it’s helpful to check for gaps and cracks before the spring rains begin. Examine your roof and inside for stains on the walls and openings in your shingles. You may also want to inspect your attic or crawl space during the day for spots that may be letting light into your home. Any openings in your roof that allow light inside can also bring in water.
Call a local roofing company to assess and repair any damage you find. When scheduling an inspection for your weather-damaged roof, avoid storm chasers. These are only after profit and will do the minimum amount of work to take advantage of your insurance. Instead, get in touch with your local roofing company for a more thorough inspection and appropriate solution to your weather-damaged roof.
6. Clogged and Damaged Gutters
Gutters drain water away from your home during rainstorms to keep your property in good shape. Leaves and debris from the fall and winter can clog your gutters and put additional pressure on them. Wind and temperature changes can also pull them away from your home and leave them vulnerable to damage. As you do your spring cleaning, you may find that debris has rusted your gutters or caused them to sag.
Clogged gutters reduce your home’s curb appeal and put unnecessary weight on the roof edge. In some cases, the dirt-clogged gutters exert so much weight that it loosens the shingles and even outright damages the roof edge. Older roofs are especially susceptible to this damage.
Proper drainage is necessary to keep water from accumulating near your roofing. Besides damaging your roof, clogged or worn-out gutters could also leave your siding and foundation vulnerable to water stains and mold growth. Since it tends to rain more often in the spring, you need to fix any issues you have with your gutters before they get worse.
How to Fix Clogged and Damaged Gutters
You should clean your gutters and have them inspected to prevent flooding on your roof and water damage in your home. Cleaning gutters usually involves getting on a ladder and removing debris by hand or with a brush. When you remove leaves and twigs from your gutters, you can provide adequate water flow to prepare your home for the next storm. While you’re standing on your ladder, you can also get an up-close look at your roof’s shingles.
Call a professional roofing company to repair your gutters if you notice signs of significant damage, such as sagging or rust. You may want to consider upgrading your gutters to protect them from future damage. Another way to solve clogged and damaged gutters is by installing a gutter cover to reduce how much debris accumulates in them. Consult your local roofing company to replace your gutters or install gutter guards, especially if you notice that they’re challenging to keep clean throughout the year.
7. Chimney Deterioration
If your home has a fireplace, your chimney sticks out of your rooftop and removes smoke from your house. Older homes tend to develop cracks around their chimneys after exposure to the elements. When snow settles on top, it melts as the temperature rises in the spring. As water seeps into the cracks and the temperature drops at night, water will expand and break apart the chimney’s bricks and mortar.
After years of neglect, the chimney can break away from the roof and bring leaks into the home. The impact from the heavy materials can damage your roof’s shingles and underlayment. A dormant chimney can also invite pests into your home as they look for shelter from the cold.
How to Fix Chimney Deterioration
You’ll want to repair any damage around your chimney to prevent costly repairs. Inspect your chimney for cracks in the early spring. You should also keep it in good shape by caulking the mortar and replacing cracked bricks. It’s helpful to schedule a chimney inspection to have a professional fix it instead of doing it yourself. You can also call your local roofing company to repair or replace a roof that has become damaged by a deteriorated chimney.
Contact Us for Spring Roof Maintenance and Repair
Our team at Scro’s Roofing Company has all the training and equipment necessary to handle your spring roofing issues in the Raleigh area. We specialize in residential roofing services to ensure that your home gets the protection you need for the warmer weather. We’ll handle any roofing project, from simple repairs to complete replacements. We also coordinate with your homeowners insurance provider to replace your storm-damaged roof.
As one of the top roof repair companies in Raleigh, we’ll make sure your roof stays in good condition so that it continues to protect your home for years to come. Call us today at 919-551-5104 or contact us online for a free quote.
