Periodic building maintenance allows for business operations to run unimpeded throughout the workday. After the harsh winter passes to make way for spring, most building maintenance focuses on the outdoor landscape and cleaning up the property. Often people forget to look upwards toward the roof where the most damage has occurred.
Not only should people worry about what problems winter weather has caused to the roof, they should also be aware of the spring challenges that must be faced. Understanding these challenges and tackling them early on can prevent further damage from occurring that can put a strain on the building maintenance budget.
Common Roof Problems In The Spring
Ice Damming
Ice damming occurs when gutters and downspouts are filled with debris such as rotting leaves, small branches and trash blown about by the wind. This debris creates clogs, forcing water to pool and overflow over the gutter system. Rain and melting snow refreezes during the changing winter and spring temperatures. When the ice dams become large enough to reach the shingles and begin to thaw from the rising spring temperatures, water can get underneath the shingles. This leads to rotting wood and leaks inside the building.
To prevent ice dams, cleaning out the gutters and downspouts in the fall stops the buildup of debris. Inspect the gutter system in the spring to clear out any more debris and to tighten loose bolts and check gutter hangers that could make the gutter fall from the side of the building.
Pest Infestations
Behind the gutter and underneath the roof overhang are the fascia and the soffit to prevent water from getting under the shingles or behind the siding. Unfortunately, soft spots can occur along these areas where water has penetrated. If the place becomes soft enough, burrowing animals such as squirrels and mice will chew through the wood and nest inside the building. The wood may also become rotted enough to create holes in which birds, bats and raccoons can enter.
Many animals will make homes there in the winter to escape from the freezing temperatures. In the spring, the animals and birds will nest and raise young. It can be difficult and dangerous to remove the animals. Hire a professional to ensure all animals are relocated out of the building. Then have the fascia and soffit repaired. There can be many spots on roofs that animals can get into even if we do not see them ourselves, a good inspection of possible areas insects or animals can make a home and cause damage to the building should be repaired.
Spring Weather
Seeing the flowers blooming from the ground is beautiful on a rainy day, yet the amount of rain and hail that can occur during this time of year can seriously wear out the roofing system. Cracked caulking, old rubber vent boots, and rusted flashing allows water to enter the building from the chimney, vent pipes, headwalls and sidewalls. Repair caulking and replace flashing or rubber vent boots when they begin to fall into disrepair.
Also take note of black granules in the gutter or on the ground. These granules are from the shingles as they protect the roof from the ultraviolet light from the sun. When the granules are missing, the shingles can begin to fail. Checking the age of the roof will help to determine if the shingles need replaced.
Hail strikes are another serious problem for roofs. While the holes may not be visible from the ground, the strikes can weaken the shingles and create holes for water to enter. Always have the roof inspected after a major hail storm to evaluate the damage.
Take Care Of Spring Challenges To Your Roof
It is simple to lose track of the time and put off spring roof maintenance until the summer. Yet those three months of neglect can lead to major repair costs. Avoid downtime to business operations by addressing these spring challenges quickly.
