Once the snow clears and the temperature stays above freezing, it is time to take a look at your roof. Canadian winters are tough on roofing, and spring is when the damage shows up.
Check from the ground first.
Grab binoculars and walk around your house. Look for missing shingles, shingles that are lifted or curled, and any visible damage to flashing around chimneys or vents. Do not go up on the roof yourself.
Clean the gutters.
After a full winter of ice, leaves, and debris, your gutters are probably clogged. Backed-up gutters cause water to pool at the eaves, which can lead to fascia rot and even foundation issues. Clear them out and check that downspouts are draining away from the house.
Look at the soffits and fascia.
Check for peeling paint, water stains, or soft spots. These are signs that water has been getting in. If your soffits have vents, make sure they are not blocked by debris or insulation.
Check the attic.
Go inside the attic and look for new water stains, mould, or daylight showing through the roof deck. Smell the air. A musty smell usually means moisture problems.
Trim trees.
Branches that are touching or hanging over your roof should be cut back. They scratch shingles, drop debris, and give squirrels easy access to your soffit vents.
Schedule an inspection.
Even if everything looks fine from the ground, it is worth having a professional inspection once a year. We catch things that are not visible from street level, and a small fix in the spring can save you from a bigger problem next winter.
Call us to book a spring inspection. It takes about an hour and you will have peace of mind heading into the warmer months.