It's that time of year again... OUTDOOR CLEANING! Do you include the outside of your home in your spring cleaning task list? If not you should be. This is the time of year you should be inspecting your home's exterior to see if any winter damage occurred this year. Here are some tasks/tips you can add to your spring cleaning this year to keep your home in tip-top shape!
Clear Gutters and Downspouts -
Leaves and debris can get clogged in your gutters or downspouts especially if you have lots of trees near your home. Make sure you clean them out at least once every year this will make sure your gutters are clear and able to do their job properly and protect your home from water. This is also a good time to trim back any trees that may be close to your gutters. Having trees too close to your gutters may lead to animals getting on your roof easily and creating nests in your gutter systems.
Make sure your downspouts are still pointing in the correct direction and far enough from your home. You may also need to reattach some sections that may have pulled away. TIP: A good way to make sure there are no leaks/issues with your downspouts is the next time it rains go outside and make sure no water is leaking out from any areas of your downspouts and everything seems to be running smoothly. If it's not feel free to give us a call to come to repair your gutter/downspouts!
Roof/ Attic Checks -
The harsh BC winters can take a toll on your roof. We suggest at the beginning of spring you call a professional like Homeguard Roofing & Renovations to do a roof inspection and check for any damages, curling or missing shingles. If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove it's also important to check the chimney and look for damages, we can do that for you as well.
Another important thing to check for at least once a year is any water in your attic. If your roof is leaking you will see water/damage in your attic. You can look for wet spots on the ceiling, discoloured walls and cracked drywall.
Removing Moss From Your Roof -
This will be a job for a professional but removing the moss/algae from your roof at least once a year and extend the roof's life. You don't think moss can do much but it can build up over time and cause leaks or other roof problems. Moss acts like a sponge it will keep the moisture in and that's why it's important to stay on top of it and remove them often.
If algae is an issue on your roof, you may consider installing products that prevent it from growing in the first place, such as shingles with GAF time-release algae-fighting technology.
Spending this time checking the exterior of your home once or twice a year can end up saving up costly repairs down the road. Stay on top of outdoor spring cleaning chores, and you'll be able to get them done efficiently and effectively. Don't have time to do your roof inspections/cleaning give us a call at 604-308-1698 to find out more about our home maintenance packages!