A Spring Roofing Checklist for Your Minnesota Home

The winter days are growing smaller and smaller on the calendar, meaning spring is right around the corner! Many of us in the Twin Cities area will be crawling out of our winter hibernation state and getting straight into home maintenance.

One of the most overlooked facets of spring cleaning and maintenance around your home is what’s above: your roof.

Let’s create a checklist for your roof to help you prepare for spring cleaning and maintenance!

Check & Clean the Gutters

Your gutters can sustain a tremendous amount of wear and debris damage during the fall and winter. For your spring roofing checklist, your gutters are at the top. Start by clearing out your gutters of any debris, such as leaves, twigs, and branches, to allow proper water flow.

After clearing the debris, run a hose from the peak to wash away any clinging dirt. To avoid excessive amounts of debris next spring, consider installing gutter guards! Gutter guards are an extra layer of protection for your gutters and roof and can make your spring cleaning tasks much easier.

Lastly, check for any holes and leaks and inspect the pitch throughout your gutter system.

Schedule a Roof Inspection

After your gutters are good to go, now it’s time to check out the roof. The most crucial part of inspecting your roof is assessing the state of your shingles. Your shingles will tell you all you need to know about the type and extent of damage to your roof. Call a professional roofing company to perform a spring roof inspection.

Missing Shingles

You should immediately replace missing shingles on your roof as those spots expose your roof to the elements. Usually, severe weather with high wind speeds is to blame for the missing shingle. So, if severe weather has rolled through your area recently, missing shingles should be the first thing you look for on your roof!

Curled Shingles

If you find any shingles with a curl on your roof, then that is a sure sign of poor installation or damage from poor ventilation. You should replace curling shingles immediately as they can introduce further damage to the underlayment.

Dented Shingles

Shingles that are buckling or dented are signs of two possible causes: Flying debris and water damage. If you find water damage in your roof after winter has passed, you may have an attic insulation issue resulting in an ice dam.

Trim Branches

It may take a few seasons to realize, but some trees around your property have some troublesome branches. Branches overhanging too close to your roof can cause damage during severe weather like a thunderstorm or snowstorm. Once you assess which branches present the most danger, it’s best to trim them right away.

Check Your Attic

Many things can go wrong in an attic, and it's best to check it semi-regularly to ensure your insulation and roof structure are all in good condition. You’ll want to check for:

Signs of mold or mildew on support beams or in insulation
Signs of pests or nests in your insulation
Leaks from the roof
Water stains
Unstable roofing structure
Broken or damaged attic ventilation

By making these inspections, you can ensure your home will stay structurally sound and energy efficient. After all, insulation in your attic is an important part of keeping your home comfortable and preventing ice dams in the winter.

Apple Exteriors Can Help With Your Spring Roofing Checklist

Finding damage to your roof is never fun, but that doesn’t mean the solution doesn’t have to be complicated. Call on Apple Exterior for assistance with your roofing checklist!

We are licensed and insured contractors who have been in business since 2012. We are your number one choice for Twin Cities storm damage and ice dam removal. Our family-owned and operated minority business is dedicated to providing you with the best home exterior services in the Twin Cities.

Request a free quote online or give us a call at 651-36-APPLE (651-362-7753) today!