As the winter weather is giving way to the warmth of spring, it is time for you to take stock of how the exterior of your home fared through the winter. As soon as the last ice has melted, it will be time for you to get out there to look for any needed roof repairs and to handle some maintenance tasks to make sure you are ready for the challenges that come with spring weather. Let the following tasks be on your checklist.
Clean Out the Gutters
This might not seem like it pertains to roof repair, but it really does. Through the winter, your gutters likely got filled with lots of debris and chunks of dirt and ice. When the gutters are clogged, it makes them inefficient at running water from the roof to the ground. This can result in standing water being left on the roof, which can lead to all sorts of problems.
Get a Professional Checkup
Roofing professionals should come out and take a look at your roof. For a low cost, they can examine the roofing and siding and let you know if there are any repairs that need to be made. Finding issues while they are small will help you avoid paying for larger repairs later on. This is a great way to invest in your home. Some home insurance policies will even cover the cost for such preventative measures.
Repair Any Loose or Missing Shingles
If you or the professional checkup find any loose or missing shingles, then now is the right time to repair those issues. Spring weather is warmer than winter, but it also comes with the trademark showers. Any weaknesses in your roofing need to be handled right now before the rains come. Not only will the rain give you fewer good days to get out there and work on the problem, but the onslaught of water can actually exacerbate the problem and lead to big leaks instead of just a few loose shingles.
Examine the Siding
This is another facet of the exterior of your home that can have direct results on your roofing. Problems with your roofing can damage your siding, and it goes both ways. While you are taking the time to check up on your roof, it will also be helpful to look at your siding, especially the siding that is up near the roof line of your home. Most professional roofers will have siding experience as well, so calling out the professionals for one problem will likely help you kill two exterior issues with one professional repair man stone.