Roof and Eavestrough Spring Maintenance Tips

It’s that time of year again! The time of year that every homeowner knows is coming. It’s spring, and that means that you need to get out of the house and start maintaining your home. It was a long time coming, trapped indoors by the cold of winter, but now that the weather is nice and you can get out there, you have no more excuses. No worries. With a little organization and a good old fashioned list of what to do, spring home maintenance can be a snap to get done.

What needs to be done?

Sure, it’s still work, but if you’re able to think of it as a glass half full type of perspective and know that the hard work that you put in now will pay off in the form of a home that’s been taken care of, then the spring cleanup and maintenance isn’t really all that bad. Some things are more of a priority than others, but all are important:

• Check the eavestroughs for debris such as dirt, leaves and other build up
• Make sure the eavestroughs aren’t pulling away from the house
• Make sure that they’re not holding water or pooling, and that there is a good flow
• Check the shingles on the roof to make sure they’re not curling or peeling
• Check window frames and door frames for cracks or gaps

As mentioned, all of these things are vitally important to the proper maintenance of your home, and while you should ensure all of them are completed, you really should do a thorough check on that roof. Roofing contractors are available to complete a thorough inspection of your shingles, eavestroughs, fascia and ensure there is proper attic ventilation. There are always new materials and processes that are being developed and it’s a good idea to check to make sure that your roof is still in as good of shape as when it was built.

When to think about replacing your roof

There are some obvious signs you will notice that indicate when your current roof is in need of replacement because it’s nearing the end of its lifespan. Missing or curling shingles are the easiest to spot, as is general wear on the edges and corners of the shingles themselves as they become rounded and chipped with age. Asphalt shingles have a life expectancy of anywhere from 15 to 18 years, so if it’s been this long since the last time your roof was redone and you’re starting to notice the aforementioned signs, it’s probably time to start thinking about a new roof.

Why is maintaining eavestroughs so important

The eavestroughs that run along the sides of your roof serve a simple yet important duty. They collect the rain and melted snow and ensure that it does not fall down and soak the ground that sits directly against your foundation. If this water were able to do so, it would slowly eat away at the foundation and cause expensive to fix water damage.

If the eavestroughs are not maintained, they can begin to pull away from the house itself. In doing so, they may not direct the flow of the water the right away, and may cause pooling or a build up of leaves and sludge, further increasing the weight they hold. This can cause them to pull away from the house even more.

Improperly maintained eavestroughs can also contribute to rotting wood, mold, leaking roofs, cracked driveways and foundations, as well as slippery sidewalks if they’re not diverting the water they’re meant to properly.

While it is work to maintain, it’s much easier and cost effective to put in a little time outside and make sure that both the eavestroughs and roof of your home are properly cared for, as the time invested in their maintenance can pay off big time down the road.

Besides, you spent all winter indoors anyway, so you might as well get outside and enjoy some of the nice weather while you’re at it!

Please contact D’Angelo and Sons if you have any questions about spring maintenance as well as roofing, siding, ice dams, insulation and all other exterior work.