Spring is a time for new beginnings, and that includes taking care of your home’s roof in Plymouth Michigan. Here are some tips on how to get your roof ready for the warmer months ahead.
Ways to Prepare Your Home’s Roof in Plymouth Michigan for Spring
With the recent winter we’ve had here in Michigan, the thought of spring may seem far away but actually it’s just a few weeks out. Even if the groundhog is right, and we have six more weeks of winter we still need to make sure the roofing on our homes is ready for the weather ahead. This weather can include spring storms and high winds which can damage your roof. Make sure you take these steps to protect your home from the weather we will soon have this spring.
Trim Branches and Trees Away from the Roof
If a tree has grown too close to your roof or branches have begun to droop down into your gutters, now is a good time to prune them back. It’s better to have a professional do it — though you can certainly do some small branches yourself — because depending on how close they are, it could be dangerous for you if they fall during one of our spring storms.
Check Gutters and Downspouts for Problems
Gutters should be cleaned out any time of year that leaves begin falling off trees around your home so they don’t cause drainage problems. But with spring rains comes extra debris, so what normally would take just an hour could take two or more this time of year.
If you’ve noticed that your downspouts are clogged or overflowing, it’s time to clear them out. If water can’t drain off the roof properly it could lead to leaks inside your home. Your gutters and spouts should be cleared out at least twice a year; more often if you notice any overflowing during heavy rains.
Make Sure the Roof is Clear of Debris
One way to tell if there’s something wrong with your roof is by looking for signs of damage inside your home. But outside, look for debris like branches, leaves, pine needles and other organic matter piled up around or on top of it after winter storms have passed through your area. These can indicate where water has collected on the roof, which in turn can lead to leaks.
Look for Problems Inside Your Home’s Attic
If you have a problem with your roof, the first place it will likely show up is inside your attic. That’s because when water gets in through cracks or holes, it finds its way down between the ceiling rafters and walls where it can drip through into any room in your house. So both outside and in should be inspected once or twice a year for signs of damage or leaks that could cause serious problems if not repaired quickly.
Check Your Home’s Ceilings for Signs of a Roof Leak
Wherever there are cracks — whether they’re visible on the outside surface of your house or hidden behind siding where water drips onto the wall — there are places for water to seep inside. For example, along the bottom of your house’s walls where they meet or under metal flashing where it runs along a roof edge or chimney. Look for mildew on the ceiling, too. If you do see signs of damage you’ll need to have them examined by a professional who can recommend repairs that will stop it from spreading and causing further damage to the rest of your home.
Get a New Roof Installed
Even if you don’t see any obvious problems with your roof yet, eventually most asphalt shingles will need replacing due to aging and weathering. Some may last thirty years or more, but most start losing their ability to water after fifteen years at most. So if your roof is older than that, you should have it replaced before the weather gets too warm.
The longer you wait to replace a roof, the more problems can arise from it being damaged by water and other elements. When the damage gets bad enough it can even start taking other structural parts of your home like walls and ceiling rafters with it. And in some cases, there’s nothing left but a pile of rubble to be cleared away and replaced with new materials; we recommend having any old roofing material taken care of at least a few months prior to installation so that debris isn’t falling into clean areas during construction.
So make sure you get started on preparing your home’s roof soon, because once spring starts rolling around you’ll be glad you did. And if you’d like to schedule a consultation with us for new roof installation, call the experts at Home Pros Plymouth. Get a free quote by calling (734) 548-9911.
