Spring is a great time of year. With warming weather, it ‘s a natural time of year to feel energized and ready to tackle different kinds of challenges. The thought of the beautiful, mild weather accompanied by the song of birds and the smell of blooming flowers is something that makes you want to be outside all the time! Simply put, everything is coming back to life, and so are you! In addition to being a great time of year to relax and enjoy the sunshine, spring is the best time for roof maintenance, too. There are plenty of reasons why handling all things roofing during Springtime is the right choice.
Why is spring the prime time for roof maintenance?
Winter, considering its reputation as the harshest season, can bring lots of damage to your roof. Constant snow and ice are capable of causing the contraction and expansion of roofing materials, which can further cause cracks to appear. This kind of issue needs to be taken care of as soon as possible, so performing a post-winter roof inspection is highly advisable. Another sound for alarm is water leaking into your home through the roof. That’s a sure sign something is wrong, and you must handle it straight away to avoid the formation of mold and mildew! Furthermore, it is also wise to check whether harsh weather has caused any damages to gutters.
Since winter can bring plenty of problems to homeowners, regular roof maintenance is essential. In addition to helping you prevent the culmination of the already-caused issues and further damages, there are some other things to consider that make spring the best season to deal with a bad roof.
Pleasant weather is why spring is the best time for roof maintenance
Probably the biggest selling point of doing roof repairs during spring is the fact that the weather is absolutely amazing. Depending on where you live, you can expect to deal with higher or lower temperatures, but they are still on the higher side in spring than during the cold months.
Additionally, some roofing jobs are incredibly difficult to complete during winter, so waiting for the weather to become warmer is the only feasible option. This is definitely a case when replacing the old shingles as the new ones require heat to seal properly. Since there is not enough heat generated during this time, installation could even take a couple of weeks to finish! There is an increased risk of shingles cracking due to the cold during this period. This means that the whole effort could be in vain at the end of the process.
Scheduling roofing maintenance for fall is possible too, but not recommended. Fall is the busiest time of the year for roofers, so getting an appointment with them could be a lot harder. And since winter isn’t as busy, they may reschedule. However, slippery and wet surfaces during winter can make the job unsafe and impossible, causing further postponing. There is an additional problem with the whole task taking so long even to begin. Your already damaged roof could suffer more damages, some of which could prove irreparable.
While the weather during summer is nice too, it can, sometimes, be too hot for workers to bear. Because of this, the whole process could take longer to complete. So, since spring provides a nice balance between the hot and cold, if hired then, roofers will undoubtedly finish the job faster.
Contractors don’t have as many roof repairs to handle
While summer and fall are the busiest seasons for roofers, the same can’t be said for spring. During this time of the year, contractors have fewer clients and more time available to use to tend to your specific needs. More time equals more dedication to their work, less sloppiness during the process, and clients’ higher satisfaction. In addition, hiring them in spring could allow you to negotiate a better price for yourself.
Tackling roof maintenance during spring is also beneficial because it allows you to handpick the best roofing company on the market. Choosing the best of the best ensures that you will get precisely the kind of service you’ve paid for. Plus, chances are they will have at least one free spot in their timetable for you to fill. Actually, if hired early, they might even be capable of adapting to your schedule!
If you have ever taken care of roof upkeep or any work around the house, you are aware of the mess left behind after the job. It’s essential to get rid of the waste afterward as the rubbish has a habit of accumulating rapidly. And since spring is also the prime season for overall home decluttering, you could combine the two for the optimum clean house result.
Roof maintenance during springtime can lower your bills later on
Repairing or replacing your roof is best done in spring as it’s the most efficient option for your budget. In case that after you’ve performed the regular inspection, you have noticed major wear and tear old roofs are prone to, taking fast action is necessary. Deteriorations that are not addressed can cause more harm than good, such as higher bills during winter and summer.
Roof cracks and leaks cause heat to escape from the room during the cold season and cooler air to escape during the hot months. Having less heat or cool air within the space means that you will be blasting off that heater or air-conditioner to the max for more extended periods of time, equalling higher energy consumption.
Spring has comfortable weather, and we rarely need to use heaters to keep warm or air-conditioners to keep cool. That’s why spring is the best time for roof maintenance. Plus, why wait for summer and its, often, unbearable heat waves to come only to realize that you should have taken care of the issues sooner? Why waste energy when it is you, and you only, that has the power to save it?
Frequently asked questions about spring roof maintenance tips
Most homeowners want to take a DIY approach to spring cleaning, which includes roof maintenance. While a professional roofing company should tackle roofing repairs and certainly roof replacements, homeowners can spot warning signs and simple tasks to help improve the lifespan of their roof.
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Cleaning Your Gutters
With spring showers on the horizon, it is of utmost importance to ensure that your gutters are functioning properly, free of debris in both the gutter and downspouts. This means cleaning your gutters! Failing to tackle this project, either by yourself, or by a professional, sets you up for more serious issues. Now is the time to make sure your roof can properly shed water to stay in front of roof rot and ground erosion.
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Inspect Your Roof From the Ground
Issues that require immediate attention are often very obvious when looking at your roof from the ground. Another important step for spring roof maintenance is to document anything that looks strange on your roofing. This could include any signs of roof replacement like missing and cracked shingles or algae growth. By noting these issues early, you can ensure a repair or replacement does not become a more costly endeavor.
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Clear Any Debris Left over from the Fall
As diligent as you may be with your fall cleanup routine, it is likely for debris to end up on your roof during the winter, especially if you live in an area with lots of trees. Sticks and leaves may not look like an issue, but leaving them for extended periods of time can lead to algae and moss growth. This is a serious issue for shingles and can drastically shorten their lifespan. Also, sticks can cause damage to your roof so this may be a chance to find previously overlooked areas of damage.
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Check Your Attic When Embarking on Spring Cleaning
Your attic is just as much a part of your roofing system as the shingles. You are already going to be up there throwing away useless items that you’ve accumulated over the years so you might as well take a glance at the underside of your roof. For example, the next time you are in the attic, look for potential problem areas like wet spots or mold growth. This is another issue that should be addressed sooner rather than later to ensure you don’t encounter substantial amounts of mold in your home.
Matthew Schwimmer is a freelance content creator focusing on various topics, ranging from construction through interior design to real estate and relocation advice. He loves sharing his experience gathered through working in the home service and the moving industry. Since an early age, Matthew has been passionate about home improvement, thanks to his father, Paul, a handyman. He loves reading and expanding his knowledge to produce articles that would be helpful and informative to readers. He enjoys an occasional DIY project in his free time, follows sports, and cheers for his home state team, The Patriots.