If you’re like most homeowners in the Treasure Valley and greater Boise, Idaho area, you’re more than ready for the hail, rain, and snow to take a break, and for Spring to be here already!

Sunny days mean it’s time for outdoor projects, and Spring home maintenance. If inspecting your roof isn’t on your Spring to-do list, you need to add it asap! Your roof takes a beating during the harsh winter months, keeping your family warm and dry, so checking up on your roof once the sun comes out is a MUST.

Spring Cleaning Checklist for Your Roof:

To make spring cleaning your roof easier, just follow this handy checklist:

Clean Your Gutters

During harsh winter months, your gutters can get filled up with leaves, twigs, dirt, and other debris (I’m looking at you, ancient frisbee). If your gutters become clogged, they can’t perform their function of funneling the water on your roof away from your roof, your home’s siding, and your foundation. Depending on the kinds of debris, you can also attract pests looking for a place to build a cozy home. Fun critters like mice, birds, spiders, etc.

Lastly, if your gutters are clogged, they can become too heavy to support themselves and bend, sag or even just fall off your roof.

When cleaning your gutters, be sure to check your roof for water spots caused by backed-up gutters that need replaced or repaired. You should also make sure your gutters are securely fastened onto your home and working correctly before the next rainstorm! This is important, especially here in the Treasure Valley during the Spring.

Trim Your Trees

Those big, beautiful trees in your yard look amazing, we hear you, but they can also cause problems if they’re hanging over your roof!

Those trees can clog gutters when they lose their leaves, causing the problems we’ve already touched on. But weak limbs and branches can also fall onto your house during intense storms. If this happens, you could be looking at structural damage, and potential safety concerns.

Check for Mold

Idaho winters can be rough, with lots of accumulated moisture. As temperatures turn warmer, that moisture can start sprouting mold, mildew, or algae on your roof's shingles.

These are problematic when left untreated – your shingles can crack, and if you notice these or any kind of growth on the roof of your home, remove them immediately, and call a professional roofer to come do an inspection on your roof to evaluate if repairs are needed.

Check up in Your Attic

Your roof’s surface isn’t the only place that can suffer rain and storm damage from mold growth and moisture. Typically, your attic will experience the most considerable damage if your roof has a leak.

Check your attic and your insulation for stains or damage. and if you notice any, contact your trusted local Idaho roofing contractor immediately. They can help you get a good estimate of the extent of the damage and determine if you need a minor repair or a full replacement.

Inspect Your Roof’s Shingles

Your roofing shingles are the most vulnerable component of your roofing system, so during harsh winter storms it’s common for them to break, crack, buckle, curl, or even sometimes blow away. If you have shingle damage, it’s essential to replace them as quickly as possible to protect your home from water damage and leaks.

Definitely hire a professional roofing contractor to complete the job to ensure your roofing shingles are securely and correctly fastened—even if the repairs are minor.

Clear off the Gunk on Your Roof

Your gutters aren’t the only place that can accumulate dirt and debris—your roof can too! It’s essential to clear away twigs, branches, leaves, frisbees, baseballs and other items that can scratch your roof and make it more vulnerable to water damage. 

Once you’ve cleared away any junk, you can clean your roofing shingles with a garden hose and gentle cleaning product. And avoid using a pressure washer or harsh chemicals—these tools can cause severe damage to your roof.

Check Roofing Materials

At this point, you’ve spent plenty of time inspecting your roofing shingles. However, it’s also critical to pay attention to other components of your roofing system, such as your flashings. 

Flashings are metal strips secured around vulnerable areas on your roof, like your chimney, skylights, and vents. You should inspect your flashings to make sure they aren’t missing or loose, and if they are, replace them. If the areas your flashings cover become exposed, they’ll likely allow moisture to creep into your home, causing costly damage.

Give Your Roof the Care It Needs with Idaho Roofing Contractors.

If you find yourself in need of a roof repair or replacement after completing this Spring roof inspection checklist, Idaho Roofing Contractors offers multiple selections of roofing materials and trusted manufacturers, like Owens-Corning® and GAF® so you can find the perfect match for your home. We’ll walk you through each option to make sure you feel confident with your choice! 

Learn more about our roofing services and how we can help you restore your roof’s low-maintenance beauty and longevity with a roof replacement or quality repair today.