General InformationHow-TosProducts and Services14 Seasonal Roof Maintenance Tips For Central MA Homeowners

April 1, 2022
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Here’s How To Help Keep Your Roof
In Tip-Top Shape All Year Long.

Let’s face it: When it comes to seasonal maintenance around the home, your roof probably isn’t at the top of your list. After all, it’s not something you look at (or even notice!) on a daily basis. If you’re like most Central MA homeowners, you don’t really think about your roof… until there’s a problem.

But here’s the thing. You can PREVENT those problems from happening with a little seasonal maintenance to your roof.

It’s true. A little seasonal residential roofing maintenance goes a LONG way toward stopping small issues from becoming big problems. So let’s look at 14 ways you can show your roof a little TLC throughout the year.

Spring Roofing Maintenance

With spring comes warmer temperatures and sunshine. This gives you the first opportunity of the year to inspect your roof without the snow and frigid temperatures.

Spring Maintenance Checklist:

  • Visually inspect your roof from your yard or driveway. See if you notice any damaged or missing shingles. A small shingle issue now can become a large, costly problem later. 
  • Be sure to take a look at the interior ceiling of the home to ensure there are no water spots. Water spots are a telltale sign that your roof is leaking.
  • Clear away any debris or clutter from your gutters. Spring is when a lot of wet weather can hit, so it’s best to clean those eaves BEFORE the rain hits.
  • While you’re up there, check for the growth of mold or algae along the seam where the roof meets gutters.

Summer Roofing Maintenance

Summer brings tons of heat, and these hot temperatures can make for some strong pop-up storms. However, for the most part, seasonal maintenance is not a huge necessity this season if you have done your maintenance in the spring. 

Summer Maintenance Checklist:

  • Check your roof after any major storm rolls through to ensure no serious damage has occurred. 
  • If you do see weather-related damage, schedule a roof inspection to get a professional opinion on the state of your roof. 
  • Pay attention to any curling you may see on the shingles, as this could mean the heat is damaging the roof.

Fall Roofing Maintenance

Fall season is one of the busiest in terms of residential roofing maintenance. Towards the middle of the fall season or at the end, you will want to make sure your roof is in top shape for the winter ahead.

Fall Maintenance Checklist:

  • Clean the leaves and debris from the gutters. Be certain that the downspouts are not blocked to allow water to flow freely away from your home. 
  • Trim back any branches that could be a threat during the winter weather we experience in Central MA.
  • Repair any shingles that may be damaged. (It may be best to call professional roofing contractors for this maintenance to ensure this repair is done properly.)
  • Remove any moss or algae that may be growing on your roof — this will be your last chance of the year before the snow hits. There are specialized cleaners that can perform this job for you.

Winter Roofing Maintenance

During the winter, Central MA gets its fair share of snow and ice. It’s important that you do a few important maintenance tasks to keep your roof winter-ready.

Winter Maintenance Checklist:

  • If you can safely knock off snow after a heavy snowfall, it’ll help lessen the load on your roof. However, the key term is SAFELY!
  • If a winter storm caused a lot of damage to nearby trees that may have blown branches into your gutters, be sure to remove these as soon as possible.
  • Once the snow has melted, be on the lookout for any damage that could result in leaks. But do it safely, as there could still be ice sticking around.

After large winter storms, many homeowners feel more comfortable with roofing contractors coming to their homes and inspecting the roof. This is a great option if you feel that this storm did damage that you may not have noticed.

Disasters That Routine Roof Maintenance Avoids

Routine maintenance on your roof will help you ward off large, expensive problems. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

Here’s what can happen if a roof has a problem that’s been neglected for too long:

  • Leaks could lead to structural damage, resulting in the entire roof caving in.
  • Damaged insulation from leaks will increase energy bills as well as increase the chances of mold growing in the home. Breathing in mold is toxic and can result in several respiratory issues.
  • Damage to ceilings and walls that result in having to fix cracks, replace wallpaper/drywall, and repaint the entire home.
  • Electrical fires can result from a leak that could be coming in behind a wall, getting into wiring, and shorting it.

When Is It Time For Roof Replacement?

If your roof is particularly old or worn down, seasonal maintenance can only help so much. It may be time to replace your roof.

Don’t worry — we can let you know for sure. When you contact us for an inspection, we’ll thoroughly assess the condition of your roof AND attic. If repair is all you need, that’s what we’ll recommend. If replacement is what you need, then THAT’S what we’ll recommend.

Bottom line: At Solid State Construction, we’re all about providing Central MA homeowners with pull-no-punches honesty, total transparency, and true peace of mind.