Now that spring has officially settled in, it’s time to tackle your annual roof, gutters, and siding maintenance list.
It’s no secret that winter storms can wreak havoc on your roof, gutters, and siding. And now that spring is here, you will need to show the exteriors of your home a little love. Now that the snow has melted, here’s what you need to do to get your home in tip-top shape.
Continue reading to learn more about post-winter care for the exteriors of your house below.
Everything You Need to Know About Roof, Gutters, and Siding Maintenance
As we know, April showers bring May flowers, so a functioning roof, gutter system, and exterior siding are more important than ever before. So, after the long winter months, spending a little time focused on your roof, gutters, and siding maintenance is essential. Here’s what you need to know:
ROOF MAINTENANCE
Trim Overhanging Branches — While this chore may fall into yard maintenance, it directly impacts your roof since overhanging tree limbs are one of the biggest dangers to roofs. Wind and heavy snow can cause branches to break and fall on your roof. This can result in extensive damage and encourage mold or algae growth if not promptly removed. Enjoy some time in the spring sunshine and prune your trees away from your home.
Inspect and Look for Damage — Between winter’s incessant rains, heavy ice, snowstorms, whipping winds, and below-freezing temperatures, it is not uncommon for your roof to come away with a few battle wounds. When conditions are good and you’ve got the necessary safety gear, keep your eye out for missing or damaged shingles, deteriorating granules, loose flashing, and issues with your soffit, fascia, and vents. If you do not feel confident doing an inspection yourself, you can hire an experienced and trusted professional to do it for you.
Make Repairs As Soon As Possible — Your roof is one of your home’s most essential components, so it is crucial to handle repairs as soon as you or your roofing contractor identifies any problems. You do not want to wait too long to make these repairs since they can worsen extremely fast. Avoid extensive damage and additional maintenance and repair costs by making roof repairs soon after discovering the issues.
GUTTER SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
Clean Out Your Gutters — Winter winds can blow plenty of gunk and debris into your gutter system. If you want your gutters and downspout to function correctly, you will need to clear out everything that could cause clogs or slowdowns. You can hire a professional to do the job for you, or you can carefully follow this quick step-by-step guide to cleaning your gutters:
- STEP #1 — You will need to gather supplies, such as a thick pair of gloves, safety glasses, a sturdy ladder, and a trowel or your go-to gutter cleaning tool. You will also need two buckets (one for tools and the other for debris), an extended garden hose and spray nozzle, and a junky shirt with long sleeves to protect your arms.
- STEP #2 — Remove your gutter guards and covers and begin near a downspout. Take out the larger bits of debris with your hands or the tools, and attach the bucket to the top of your ladder for easy disposal.
- STEP #3 — Attach your spray nozzle and turn on your hose to clear your gutter of the finer material.
- STEP #4 — Check for clogs in your downspout or downspout strainer if your gutters are not draining efficiently.
- STEP #5 — Once everything flows as it should replace the strainer and any leaf guards.
Scan for Damaged Areas — Heavy wind and snowfall can cause your gutters to sag, break, and bend. Take a moment to walk around your house and inspect your gutter system for any issues.
Regular Maintenance and Quick Repair — If you find any damage, address it right away before it has time to worsen. Ignored problems could lead to more significant, more expensive issues down the road and affect other parts of your home, such as your foundation or fascia boards.
SIDING MAINTENANCE
Inspect the Siding for Damage — Like your roof and gutters, scanning your siding for damage is essential. Look for areas where the slats are pulling up or warping and any holes or punctures in your siding. Small animals are always searching for places to burrow, and a hole in your siding leading into your house is something they would consider ideal.
Get Damages Repaired ASAP — While warped slats and minor dents, dings, or holes may not seem like a big deal, letting damaged siding sit can be detrimental to your home. Leaving this damage can result in further, more costly issues, decreased energy efficiency, and a loss of curb appeal.
Clean Your Siding — Always follow the siding manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations for cleaning. Before reaching for your power washer, check on any stipulations on your warranty. Cleaning your vinyl siding by hand is typically safe and is pretty simple; all you’ll need is a clean, soft cloth or soft-bristled brush and warm soapy water. Use gentle scrubbing motions to remove dirt and caked-on debris from your home and rinse before the soap has time to dry.
Need Some Roof, Gutters, and Siding Maintenance? Call In the Pros at We Do Roofing SLC!
With this roof, gutters, and siding maintenance guide and a little help from the pros at We Do Roofing SLC, the exteriors of your house will be springtime ready!
Our trusted and knowledgeable team is licensed and insured expert siding, gutter, and roof jobs and has over 20 years of experience. Whether you require a completely new roof or a simple roof repair for your commercial property or house, our crew is here to help.
We proudly serve homes and businesses in Murray, Salt Lake City, West Jordan, West Valley City, and neighboring cities along the Wasatch Front. Contact We Do Roofing SLC for your quick quote today.
