When summer winds down and routines are back in place, homeowners finally get a chance to catch their breath and reevaluate their roof maintenance needs. A lot of damage can happen during the summer months. Harsh storms may have caused hail or wind damage to the roof and siding. The hot sun may have worn down the roofing shingles, or moss may have grown on the shaded areas of your roof. There are plenty of things to look out for to prevent small issues from becoming a big repair bill. Here is your back to school roofing maintenance checklist.
1. Get a Roof Inspection
If it’s been over a year since your last official roof inspection or a significant event (like hail) happened, it’s time to schedule another inspection. Trained experts can spot small dents from hail or detect early signs of damage to your gutters, roof, and other roof components. This early detection can prompt a small repair that protects you from the possibility of a significant expense if you don’t treat the problem. Your first step to make sure everything with your roof is good is to get a professional to inspect it so that you can schedule roof maintenance to keep it in the best condition.
2. Check for Clogged Gutters
Your roofers will look at your gutters since it’s part of your roofing system, but if you forego the inspection, you should at least check your gutters. Reach safe vantage point and see if your gutters are clogged with debris like dirt, leaves, flower blossoms. One obvious sign that your gutters need attention ASAP is if you see any plants growing in your gutters. It’s common in Virginia to see maple sprouts hanging out in unattended gutters since these trees grow quickly and seem to like the moist soil that tends to rest in clogged gutters. If it’s been a long time since your last gutter cleaning or you see visible signs of over clogging, it’s time to clean them. Heavy gutters can detach from your home and become an expensive fix. Also, clogged or detached gutters leave your roof’s edges vulnerable to water damage, which can rot your soffit, fascia, and other areas of your roof.
3. Look Out for Cracked, Dented, or Missing Shingles
If you can’t get people out to your home right away, you can still inspect your roof partially on your own. If you can safely access a good vantage point, check for any missing shingles or components that have been rusted, dented, cracked, or warped over the summer. The strong summer heat is notorious for warping asphalt shingles while hail can dent or crack your roof shingles, depending on the material you use. Spotting these imperfections on your roof can stop leaks and pests from entering your home through your roof.
Best Roofers in Northern Virginia
Whether you need roof maintenance, new gutters, or a small roof repair, you can count on Noble Roofing’s dependable residential roofing services. Call us today at (703) 404-0505 to schedule your free and no-obligation in-home inspection and estimate.
