4 Steps To Spring Roof Maintenance

Protect your biggest investment by maintaining one of your Houston home’s most valuable assets: the roof. Don’t leave it to chance; be sure to perform regular maintenance checks on your roof annually.

Step #1: Make a Visual Inspection.
Take the time to visually inspect your roof firsthand. Look for visible signs of damage like missing shingles, warping, or discoloration. Notice if certain areas are more prone to damage than others and be sure to take a closer look.

An example: if your roof has grain-coated asphalt shingles, you may notice that the grain is worn. Shingles become more prone to water damage when the grain wears away. Additionally, if you notice places where pools of water collect, it might be time to call in a professional Houston roofer like Monarch Roofing who can make quick and affordable repairs to problem areas easily.

Step #2: Do The Dirty Work.
It’s spring cleaning time for your roof’s most important components. Remove any visible moss and mold that may have built up between the shingles as these eventually lead to damage and rot. Moss remove solution is recommended because unlike power washing, which can further damage your shingles, the moss remover solution is sprayed on and brushed away with a broom.

Once the roof is cleared, let’s flush those gutters and downspouts, removing the leaves, nests, and other debris that may have gathered there. You can be sure that the downspouts are debris-free by flushing them with water. This part of the process is messy, but well worth the time. As the water escapes, be sure the water is flowing away from your foundation.

Next, inspect soffits, fascias and vents for nests and debris. Animals often find these warm hiding places ideal for building their homes, but when damage occurs, birds and squirrels don’t have to buy a new roof. Be sure to check the roof’s entire perimeter and clean areas that need attention.

Step #3: Secure Your Roofs Flashing and Sealants.
Now that the cleaning is all out of the way, it’s time to pull out your toolbox. Inspect the strips of metal (known as “flashing”) that connect skylights or chimneys to the roof. Over time, wind and other weather can loosen flashing which leads to mold or water damage inside your home.

Make sure these seals are tight and if they aren’t, tack them back on securely. While checking flashing, it’s a good idea to simultaneously check for cracked and/or weakened caulk. After scraping off the old stuff, the area should be cleaned and resealed with fresh caulk.

Step #4: When In Doubt.
If you are uncertain about performing your own roof maintenance, don’t feel comfortable with your level of knowledge in the area, or just don’t want to mess with it, contact a professional roofing contractor like Monarch Roofing in Houston and let us do the work with our team of skilled roof cleaning and roof repair experts.

Give us a call for a no-obligation, free roof inspection and sleep comfortably knowing your family is safe with a strong roof over their heads.