3 Springtime Roof Maintenance Tips

Even if the weather in and around Toronto isn’t warm and sunny just yet, spring is here. And you know what that means. Yes, you’re right, the coming of spring means it’s time to check the roof on your house for any signs that it may need repair or replacement.

Winters, even relatively mild ones like the one we just had, can be particularly tough on your roof, especially if it’s an older roof. Roofing shingles tend to hold up well until a certain point in their lifecycle. Then signs of damage and potential leaks can pop up relatively quickly.

A good roof inspection in the spring will show you the warning signs of wear and tear that might need attention before they become problems. Here’s what look for:

1. Roofing Shingles

While getting up on a ladder for a closer look is best, you can also use a pair of binoculars to visually inspect the roof’s shingles. Look for signs of wear on the shingles, which will show up as bare patches where the protective gravel coating has been scraped off by debris, wind and shifting snow and ice.

Also look for any raised edges. These can be caused by moisture getting under the shingle, freezing and lifting the shingle when it does.

2. Eavestroughs

Especially if you have mature trees around your home, your eavestroughs have been collecting debris throughout the winter. Without being cleared, the debris can hold water which can back up and get in under the edges of your roof.

3. Flashing

Flashing is used around roof protuberances, like chimneys and vents, to stop water from getting in between them and the roof. The melting and freezing of snow and ice can pull the flashing away from the roof or protuberance. When that happens, moisture may be able to get under the flashing and into your home.

Professional Roof Inspections. While you can do a roof inspection yourself, if you have a multi-level home or a particularly large roof, it may be difficult to properly inspect the entire roof. And roof repairs on higher and larger roofs can be more expensive. But regardless of its size or height, the best way to avoid unexpected and costly roof repairs is to have your roof inspected by a professional every spring and fall.