How to Spring Clean the Roof

It may seem like a novel idea to perform spring cleaning on the roof, but making it a part of routine maintenance will help your roofing materials last longer with less need of roof repair. Some of the job can be done by you, but you will want to incorporate the help of qualified roofers to assist in some of the more treacherous parts of roof inspection.

Remove Leaves and Other Small Debris

A leaf blower will be your best friend in doing the chore of removing small debris like leaves, pine needles or small twigs. A 6-foot step ladder should allow you enough height to reach the roof of a single-story home. You should call in a professional to tackle a two-story and higher. You do not need to make sure that every bit of debris is gone, but only a majority. This material can hold moisture and cause mold to begin growing.

Rubbing Tree Limbs

You may have trimmed the tree limbs a few years back, but they will regrow. Limbs that rub constantly against the shingles will wear down the granular coating that protects the material from the weather and sunlight. Make sure that all tree limbs are trimmed back to where there is no danger of contact with the roof during heavy winds.

Clean Out the Eavestrough

Take the opportunity to inspect and clean out the eavestrough before spring rains get started. A consistent build-up of small sticks and leaves make a perfect area for insects to dwell and can cause an overflow of water that will go up under your shingles. The water will then find ways to access the interior areas of the home. Make sure that the cold winter temperature did not cause any of the attachment hardware to break. Loose eavestrough can bang against and damage siding.

Kill and Wash Away Mold

A mix of 1-cup chlorine bleach, 1-gallon of water and a tablespoon of dish-washing liquid will kill mold that tries to take over damp areas of a roof. Simply spray it on and let it set a few minutes. Use a standard garden hoe to rinse it off. Never use a pressure washer to do the job. The strong spray of water will damage your shingles. Gentle is best. Cover plants with plastic so that they will not be harmed by the bleach.

Check for Missing Shingles, Broken Shingles and Damaged Eaves or Flashing

Hire roofing Toronto contractors to completely inspect the shingles for missing, broken or otherwise damaged that need replaced. Check the eaves for rotting, loose boards or other damage. Make sure all flashing around chimneys and vents is in place.

Contact local roofing experts to help in the process of spring cleaning the roof. It is an affordable way to extend the life of what helps protect your home from the elements.