Caring for a home can be a massive endeavor that even the most skilled homeowner may struggle with at times. With so many elements to a home, how do you make sure everything is up to code and ready to protect you and your family?
Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Home’s Exterior
Ah, spring. It’s everyone’s favorite time of year. The snow is melting, the sun is shining, and your shingles are cracking. Wait, what?
Follow these tips to check over your home’s exterior after a long winter and give your home’s proper pampering this spring:
Clean Out the Gutters
Grab a bucket and ladder and remove anything that may have fallen in the gutters over winter. Keeping your gutters clean helps to prevent unnecessary repairs and plumbing blockages. If your gutters stay clogged during the rainy season, the water doesn’t have a route to escape through and will just leak over the sides of your roof — a problem that can lead to water damage over time.
Clean the Siding
If your home looks like it’s seen better days, it may need a quick wash! It’s tempting to use a power washer or pressure sprayer to get the job done as fast as possible, but it could end up hurting you in the long run. High-powered water can add excessive wear and tear to vinyl siding and can even dislodge mortar on brick walls! For a safe solution, grab a bucket filled with warm, soapy water and a foam brush and get to work.
Wash the Roof
Like with your siding, an asphalt shingle roof can suffer major damage under the power of a pressure washer. If you want to clean your roof (or remove algae), use a leaf blower or large broom to brush off loose debris, and then use warm, soapy water to lightly scrub the shingles. This is also a good time to check over your roof to see if there’s any damage that may need to be addressed by professionals.
Steps to Take After a Storm
April showers bring May flowers — but they also bring unstable temperatures that make conditions perfect for thunderstorms. After the skies clear, check over your home to look for any damage.
What to Look for During a DIY Roof Inspection
Professional roof inspections can help you determine what next steps for a roof replacement can be, but if you prefer to take the DIY route first, follow these tips:
Algae or Mold Growth
Algae or mold growth could indicate where excessive moisture collects on your roof. Be especially wary of the stability of your roof in these areas and check for issues that could be on the interior of your roof as well.
Curling, Damaged, or Missing Shingles
Damage of any kind to shingles makes your home that much more vulnerable to leaking and other serious issues.
Leaks in the Attic
Both of the above problems can result in leaks in your home. To find the source of a leak, find where the water is dripping inside your attic, then follow the trail of water up until you find the starting point. You may need a professional examination to help you determine whether the solution is a simple fix or a full replacement.
How to Clean Up After a Storm
Even if you just cleaned out the gutters, check them again to ensure debris didn’t lodge itself or create a new blockage of any kind. You can also check the valleys of your roof to remove leaf or debris piles and help prevent prime conditions for mold growth and pests.
Whether your home needs a full roof replacement or you want to update the look and feel of your home, Rooftop Designs is the team to turn to! We have experience with gutter and roof installation and can also complete any of your siding, attic insulation, door, and window installation needs. Contact us online or give us a call at (855) 741-0575 to schedule your appointment today.
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