Spring has officially arrived, and we are looking forward to warmer temperatures! While most homeowners are excited to welcome the new season after a long and cold winter, it is important to remember that thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hail become a greater threat throughout the next several months. We are here to help you prepare your home for these weather conditions!
What Icicles Can Mean for Your Roof
First and foremost, it is important to consider how your roof has held up through the winter, and take action if necessary. If you’ve noticed icicles on your home, this can be a sign that you have insulation issues. When the heat in your home reaches your attic due to poor insulation, it causes snow and ice to melt, flow down your roof, and re-freeze – forming icicles.
You will want to ensure your chimney or flue is sealed to avoid leaks heating your roof and thus causing the melting and freezing that results in icicles. Proper ventilation is also imperative to maintain the temperature in your attic.
If you have concerns about icicles, insulation, or ventilation, please don’t hesitate to schedule a free inspection. It is imperative that these areas are taken care of by an expert team to prevent additional issues next winter!
Consider Inspecting Your Attic
Before the rainy season gets underway, you may want to inspect your attic for signs of a potential roof leak. As long as it is safe to do so, you may want to go into your attic and look for any discoloration – black or brown spots – on the wood. You may also look for daylight coming through the attic. These can be signs of a new or existing roof leak, so if you spot either water stains or daylight peaking through, you should schedule a professional inspection as soon as possible.
Prepare Your Roof for Spring
There are a few things you can do around your home to prepare for the Spring season and the weather conditions that come with it!
You may want to add cleaning out your gutters to your Spring cleaning list. It is important to ensure that no branches or debris left from fall and winter are clogging your gutters, as this can increase the risk of water damage.
As mentioned, it’s a good idea to add an attic inspection to your spring cleaning to-do list, too. You will want to check for any holes (where daylight may be peaking through), water stains, or dripping water. These can all indicate a leak that should be taken care of before spring showers! Only venture into your attic if it is safe to do so; otherwise, contact a licensed professional to conduct an inspection.
Because thunderstorms, hail, and high winds become more common from April until August, we recommend keeping the trees and shrubbery surrounding your home trimmed. High winds can result in substantial damage from branches and other debris. You’ll also want to keep your outdoor areas free of any items that could become dangerous in the event of a storm, such as cut wood or light lawn furniture.
From a safety standpoint, we recommend creating an emergency plan with your family in case of a tornado or severe storm. While we certainly hope it would never be needed, it is important that everyone in your home knows what to do in this situation!
Lastly, if you are missing any shingles on your home, it is essential to have these replaced before the rainy season. As always, we are happy to offer a free inspection if you feel your roof suffered damage throughout the winter.
Increase Your Curb Appeal
Did you know that, according to Better Homes & Gardens, 40% of curb appeal is associated with the appearance of the roof on a home? Spring is when most homes go up for sale, so if you are planning to relocate soon, maintaining your roof can allow you to get the best possible offer!
Even if you do not plan to sell your home in the near future, taking great care of your roof is key to preventing additional damage internally. This helps to ensure the value of your home stays high, and the repairs you must make are minimal over the years.
Spring is Here
Spring brings so many amazing things: flowers are blooming, outdoor events are taking place, and we are all in a better mood after a long, cold winter! Enjoy the peace of mind knowing you’ve prepared for any potential weather threats from April through May.
If you have any concerns regarding your roof or experience storm damage this Spring, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-866-68-ASPEN to schedule a free, no-obligation inspection. We are here to help!
