The precipitation and low temperatures of winter and the weather fluctuations of late winter and early spring can put stress on your roof, particularly if it’s an older roof. Spring is approaching (first day of spring is March 19th this year) and with that come spring rains. May is one of the wettest months of the year here in Austin. Now is a great time to contact your local roofing contractor, like J-Conn Roofing, to inspect your roof for signs of damage or needed maintenance, and to prepare it for heavy spring rains and the harsh Texas summer to come.
Have your gutters cleaned and ensure proper drainage. True, most leaves fall in the fall, but live oak trees, which we see a lot of here in Austin, generally lose the bulk of their leaves in March & April. Make sure that you check your gutters periodically to ensure they remain clean. Rain water can back up to roof level in gutters that are filled with debris or have blocked downspouts, seeping into your house and causing water damage.
Look for signs of shingle damage or degradation. Due to age and harsh winter weather, shingles may be loose, curling, blistering, or broken. Granule loss reduces the effectiveness of your shingles and shortens the useful life of the shingles. You may also have shingles that are animal damaged, tree damaged, or storm damaged. Damaged shingles compromise the integrity of your roof and may allow water to enter; they also increase the likelihood of adjoining shingles becoming compromised or damaged. Look for interior signs of water damage. Water leaks or stains in the ceiling or along walls are signs that your roof is leaking.
Don’t put off repairing your roof as this will likely lead to additional damage (interior, decking, etc). Contact your local roofing professional J-Conn Roofing for a free roof inspection and free estimate and get your roof ready for spring.
