8 Spring Cleaning Tips For Residential Roofs

Spring cleaning is an annual ritual for homeowners. In fact, according to a 2013 survey by the American  Cleaning Institute, 72% of  U.S. households spring clean every year. Among those who do spring cleaning, 76 percent target the bedroom, followed by the kitchen (73%), bathroom (69%) family room or den (61%) and the dining room (45%). An area that many people forget to consider is the roof.

Residential roofs take a beating during the winter months. Extreme weather conditions, including temperature changes, can cause roofing shingles and flashing to expand and contract, creating damage. Heavy snow loads and ice dams also take a toll on a roof. Missing, cracked or damaged shingles may develop into leaks.

The non-profit Metal Roofing Alliance suggests the following roof review, which can be done without a ladder:

1. For homes with asphalt shingles, look for black areas indicating cracking shingles.
2. For homes with shake or shingles, look for pieces that are curled updward, split, broken off or missing.
3. For homes with slate roofs, look for black areas that indicate slate is missing.
4. Look for heavy wear around the roof valleys, the areas where water runs off the roof into the gutters.
5. Look at the roof materials around the chimney and vent pipes and check for cracks, gaps and missing or fractured caulking.
6. Use binoculars to check around the roofing by the chimney, trim and other flashings for signs of cracks, shingles that are coming up off the roof, and general wear.
7. Check roof eave overhangs for water damage.
8. Conduct an interior inspection for stained or discolored ceilings, which most likely indicates roof problems.