Ahh, that sweet smell of spring! Spring brings beautiful flowers, warm weather, and potential problems with the roofs on your city buildings. The Minnesota winters of snow, rain, wind, and ice can take a toll on roofs, and you’ll want to make sure they keep you dry during summer storms. The warmer weather makes it easier and safer to inspect your roof and gutters and determine what needs to be done to get them back in good condition. Read below to find out what you should include in your spring roof maintenance.
The first thing in your spring roofing inspection checklist
is to get to work on your gutters and downspouts. Harsh winter weather can fill
your gutter system with leaves, tree limbs, moss, and garbage. A blocked drainage
system leads to overflows and structural damage, so it’s vital to clean it out
each spring. Additionally, loose sections of the gutter should be secured, and
damaged sections should be replaced right away.
Damaged downspouts can cause water leaks around your
building. Make sure that you check your downspouts for damage from tree
branches or ice dams and prune the tree branches hanging over your roof.
Inspect roof exteriors
A thorough inspection of the roof during the spring is a must. Your spring roofing inspection checklist must cover the following aspects:
- Damaged/missing
shingles, cracks, tears, leaks.
Take a note of missing, damaged, or worn-out shingles and ensure that you replace them immediately. A missing or damaged shingle can cause a water leak and, if not fixed, can damage the interiors of your building. For flat roofs, inspect scuppers, drains, penetrations, HVAC unit doors, and edge metal. Repair cracks, tears, and leaks. Make repairs to damaged portions of the roof as soon as possible to prevent them from causing even greater damage to your building. - Mold
growth.
While doing a roofing inspection, actively look for signs of mold. If caught early, this can keep mold from seeping into the foundation of your building and save you from major issues. If you notice mold has spread over a large area, call your roofing professional for a thorough inspection. - Damaged
skylights.
Inspect the seals around your skylights closely and make sure there is no damage to the roofing surface. If the seals are falling apart the chances of water leaks increase over time. - General
wear and tear.
Look out for general wear and tear on your roof like loose or exposed nails, missing or damaged flashings, missing caulk, rusty metal flashings, and sagging areas. If you notice any of these conditions, make sure you get necessary repairs and replacements done so that your roof continues to protect your buildings.
Inspect roof interiors
Once you have thoroughly examined the exteriors of your
roof, it is time to check the interiors for any damage, especially in the attic
area. Grab a flashlight, or any other light, and inspect all the spaces in your
attic for signs of water leaks or ventilation issues. In addition, look for
water stains, cracks, and settling of foundation on interior walls and
ceilings.
Protect your city investment by performing routine roofing
maintenance and inspections. When you catch potential problems early, you
prevent some bigger roof repairs and costly interior damage. You can even push
roof replacements further into the future. It also gives you the opportunity to
budget for big repairs or replacements early on, buying you time to save up for
them.
Submitted by: Julie Jelen, Loss Control Consultant
