Here’s Your Metal Roofing Spring Maintenance Checklist

This is the time of year that we all love. Days are getting longer and warmer, flowers are bursting through the soil, and trees are beginning to bud and flower. If you love cultivating your own beautiful gardens and spending time outdoors, you have probably already started working on cleaning up winter debris and starting your spring landscaping. While getting a jump on your gardening, however, you don’t want to forget to take care of your metal roof as we move into spring. Be sure to include these five steps in your outdoor spring clean-up.

Select Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning a metal roof is a good way to keep it looking its best in the spring and prevent the buildup of dirt and debris. While this may seem like a simple chore, it is important to know what cleaning supplies are best for cleaning the roofing material. Sometimes, a good hose is all you need. Avoid using soaps and detergents. Talk to your roofing specialist about the best products to use for your metal roof.

If you are cleaning mold and mildew, use a bleach solution to clean and disinfect. This also works well for algae growth. The bleach will stop the spread of these substances to other areas under and around your roof.

If metals around your roof have left it stained with rust, you should first remove or cover these items with a paint or sealant that prevents rust. To clean the rust off of your roof, first try a mixture of water and vinegar with a non-abrasive pad. For more severe cases of rust, you may need to use a solution of water and a stronger type of acid. The most common acids used for this type of cleaning include oxalic acid, muriatic acid, citric acid, and hydrochloric acid.

Always wear gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing whenever using cleaning agents. If you are unsure of proper cleaning procedures or choose not to clean your roof yourself, contact your local roofing contractor for help.

Wash Roof

To keep your roof looking its best and prevent the buildup of mold, mildew, and other types of grime, be sure to clean it on a regular basis. This keeps a visually appealing look and also prevents corrosion to your metal roof. Rainwater often contains chemicals that can contribute to corroding the roof and built up dirt and debris can add to this type of damage.

Whenever possible, start with a hose and water to see how well that works. If the accumulated grime is more than the hose itself can handle, use a non-abrasive cleaning pad, and, if necessary, a non-abrasive cleaning agent. Always check that the materials you are using to clean your metal roof are safe for the environment, as the cleaning water will be draining through your rain gutters and into the ground.

Clean Gutters

It is always a good idea to keep this chore on your spring maintenance list, no matter where you live but especially in rainy climates. This chore, when done regularly, can help protect and ensure the longevity of your metal roof. Besides just draining the rainwater away from your home, the rain gutters also collect twigs, branches, leaves, and various other debris. For the gutter system to work properly and drain the water away from your home and its foundation, you must keep the gutters free of buildup from these materials.

If your gutters are filled with dry debris, you can often clean them out and empty them into a large bucket. Another option is to attach a heavy-duty garbage bag to a bottomless bucket. This will give you more leverage in handling the bag and more room to place the waste. When your gutters have wet debris in them, it is usually best to lay a tarp on the ground below the gutter and empty the materials right onto the tarp. Always wear gloves and eye protection when cleaning out your gutters.

Check Attic and Insulation

When your roofing contractor installed your roof, they should have taken measures to ensure the attic was properly ventilated. This space is the buffer between the main part of your home and the outdoors. For that reason, it deserves special care, as it can ensure the longevity of your roof, as well as your home. Proper ventilation in an attic helps to protect the roof from condensation, protects against heat and moisture buildup, and moderates the temperature.

When you are inspecting your attic, look for signs of moisture condensation. Mold, mildew, stains, and a damp, musty smell can all be indicators of a problem with moisture. If you suspect that you have excessive moisture in your attic, a roofing contractor can perform a more thorough inspection and resolve any problems you may have.

Trim Trees

Our trees are often the highlight of our landscaping features. They provide shade on hot summer days and can even help to take the burden off of air conditioning units that cool our homes. It is essential to take care of trees properly to ensure they are healthy and controlled. Spring is a great time to prune your trees before the fullness of summer leaves makes it more difficult.

The first thing you want to check for are branches that rub against your home or roof. Any tree branches that are too close to the home should be cut back, so that they don’t pose any danger of damage to your metal roof. Others that hang above the roof may have weak points where branches could break off and fall to the roof, causing damage or clogging gutters.

As you begin preparing your home for spending time outside this spring and summer, don’t forget to add these tasks to your maintenance checklist. Taking preventive measures to protect your home and metal roof from damage will save you time and money down the road, keeping your home looking beautiful. When you perform these chores, keep an eye out for any external damage that may have happened to your home or roof over the winter. Call a professional to handle repairs right away, so that these damages don’t lead to further problems. If you follow these spring cleaning steps every year, your home and its metal roof will stay in top shape for years to come.