Friday, May 8, 2015

Spring Cleaning: The Well-Tended Roof

When you think spring cleaning you probably think about things like vacuuming or dry cleaning curtains, sorting out and cleaning the garage, and basically giving every room inside your home the once-over from top to bottom. But spring cleaning is something every well-tended roof craves as well - and it’s essential for the longevity of your roof to adhere to a regular maintenance schedule. Extreme temperatures, snow, ice, and wind, can really do a number on your roof. That’s why it’s a great idea to include your roof in your spring cleaning checklist, and attend to any necessary roofing repairs asap. We’ve compiled a short list to help you cover all the important bases in spring roof care, from inspecting to maintenance. Following the 4 simple tips below will help ensure your roof will be in tip-top condition this year. Don’t forget, if you discover that you need a little help, our expert team at Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal is just a phone call away!

1. Check for mold or mildew
Can you smell mold or mildew in your home? Have you noticed any water damage along the walls? If so, this is a likely sign that water has entered your home through your roof. One of winter’s biggest culprits for water damage is ice damming; a regular occurrence in the winter in homes that are not properly ventilated or have other roofing issues. Although water damage will require the assistance of a professional roofing contractor, being certain to get the damage assessed and dealt with swiftly will help prevent greater damage or other problems. When a roof cannot adequately breathe, it creates the perfect opportunity for mold to grow and endanger the health of your home.

2. Clean your gutters
Although technically not a part of your roof, gutters play a huge part in how water flows off your roof and affects your home. If your gutters are not clear of leaves and other debris, water will back up, causing it to work its way back into your home, or waterfall, harming the foundation. This is an easy and inexpensive fix, yet all too often forgotten. Make cleaning your gutters a prioritized part of your routine home maintenance at the beginning of each season. After an unusually harsh winter with much snow, or a spring and summer with extreme thunderstorms, you will need to clean the gutters more often.

3. Check for loose shingles
Standing at a distance from your home, it is possible to notice loose or missing shingles. With thunderstorms in our area occurring frequently over spring and summer, this allows water the perfect opportunity to enter and harm your home. If you notice loose or missing shingles, call a contractor and have them assess the problem. They will also look for algae which creates a black-green stain on the roof. Algae can retain moisture, which causes rot and deterioration. Do not attempt to fix it the problem yourself! Without the proper equipment and safety measures the risk of accident or injury is too great.

4. Trees and leaves
Be certain trees and bushes are trimmed away from your home to prevent the development of damp and shaded areas on your roof. These encourage the growth of mold and algae.  Falling branches from overhanging trees can damage or even puncture roof shingles. All tree branches that are touching your roof must be trimmed to avoid such damage.

Follow these simple tips will go a long way in ensuring a healthy roof for your home. Need professional help? Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal has the at experience and know-how to get the job done right the first time. For all of your Greater Nashville roofing and gutter needs, call  Mike Ragan and crew at (615) 350-6300. Estimates are always free, and financing is available.


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