Spring is in the air! North Texas is finally seeing a change in the season. And it’s amazing. But, the one downfall to seeing new life spring from the ground is the debris and dirt it leaves on the roof. From leaves and branches to the left over snow from winter. As soon as the weather permits, it’s time for some spring cleaning.
Besides the aesthetic purpose of cleaning the roof and maintaining curb appeal, it’s important to clean your roof system to extend the life of the roof. Here are some tips to help your spring cleaning process.

Tree Debris

Tree limbs and leaves as well as other tree debris love to fall and make a home on your roof system. Unfortunately, this can harm your shingles and deteriorate your roof faster. Avoid this by making sure tree limbs are safely out of reach of your home’s roof. The last thing you want is for your tree to grow so much that the limbs scrape the shingles and loosen the granules.

Leaves inevitably fall as the wind blows. Depending on the type of trees in your yard you could have leaves, pine needles, or other tree debris falling onto your roof system. And a little bit is to be expected. But if you allow too many leaves to collect, they start to trap moisture and cause mildew to form among other problems. Take a rake or a leaf blower to remove them safely and easily.

Mold

After a winter filled with lots of snow and ice, spring begins to melt what’s left on your roof. This process can leave moisture and cause mildew, mold, algae, and other problems. If you see discolored streaks on your roof, that’s an indicator of such problems. Treat your roof with a chlorine bleach or copper sulfate solution, using a garden sprayer. This kills the mold and protects your roof.

Gutters, Flashing, & Chimney

Gutter damage can happen when too much debris clogs the gutters or when heavy snow or ice builds up. Before April showers come in full effect, make sure that your gutters are unclogged by running some matter through them. Unclog, fix loose nails, and keep your gutters in functioning condition. While you’re going around your house looking for gutter problems, inspect your roof for any missing shingles, chimney damage, and loose flashing.

A spring cleaning of your roof system saves you time and money. If you feel unsafe completing any of these tasks, call a professional roofing contractor to help with your spring cleaning needs.