Tips For Cleaning Your Gutters In Spring

Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

When you think of your roof, what comes to mind first? Shingles? Flashing? Ventilation? Though these are all vital components of a roofing system, there is one other that many often overlook - that's your gutters. While your gutters and your roof are technically two separate systems that contribute to the design of a home, they are highly connected in several ways. Let's look at one specific example:

Clogged gutters are one of the most common causes of roof leaks. Since your gutters are meant to help water travel away from the roof, when they are clogged the water has nowhere to go and therefore, it tends to back up on the roof itself. From there, it becomes much easier for water to seep through cracks, even when they are relatively minor.

Since clogged gutters can be a source of damage when it comes to your roof, we encourage you to dedicate some time this spring to cleaning them out! Here are a few simple tips to help you before you get started:

• Wear protective clothing like rubber gloves to keep yourself safe. Although there probably isn't too much lurking in your gutter system, there could be sharp debris that you certainly don't want interfering with your skin.
• Check that your ladder is on sturdy ground before beginning the trek up towards your roof. And even when you are completely confident that all is well, check again and have a buddy stand at the foot of the ladder in case of an emergency.
• Rather than dump all of your mess onto your lawn, bring a bucket or a bag up that can easily be reached up. This way, you can place all of the debris in one place and make the cleanup process easier.
• After you've cleared away all of the debris, go back down and grab your garden hose to give your gutters a final cleaning. This will help you ensure that you haven't missed any spots and will confirm that water can flow freely through your system.

As one of Connecticut's leading roofing contractors, we understand how essential it is to have a functioning gutter system working alongside your roof. Did you know that we also provide gutter and downspout services for this very reason? For more information about how we can help your property have a successful spring, please visit us on our website or give us call at (203) 838-4545 today.

How To Prepare Your Roof For Spring

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

After a long, cold winter, the spring has finally arrived! As we look towards sunny skies and warm weather, it's time to survey any damages that the harsh winter weather may have brought to our homes. With excessive snowfall and unusually cold temperatures this winter, our shingles, gutters and flashings must be inspected to make sure everything is still in place and working properly. If you're planning on performing your spring inspection yourself, here are some DIY tips to guide you on what to look for:

1. Survey Your Shingles: To properly inspect your shingles, you must actually get up on a ladder and scan your shingles thoroughly. Look for shingles that are missing, peeling, or losing their grain, and replace or repair any that seem damaged.

2. Clean Moss and Mold from Your Shingles: If you see moss or mold growing on or in between your shingles, it's important to remove it! However, do not power wash the moss or mold as that can remove the protective top layer from your shingles. Instead, buy a roof moss remover solution and spray your roof, then remove the moss with a long-handled broom.

3. Tighten Metal Roof Bolts: If your roof is made of metal, tighten the bolts at the start of spring. This helps to prepare your home for any summer or fall storms that may come your way.

4. Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts: To clean your gutters, get out your ladder and a garden trowel. Start by removing all of the leaves and debris out of your gutter, and finish by cleaning out the entrance and exit of the downspout. If your gutter appears to be loose, don't forget to tighten it!

5. Repair Chimney and Skylight Flashing: Strong winds and heavy snow can cause a home's flashing to become loose. To prevent leaks from the traditional April showers, securely tack down the flashing.

6. Clean Out Soffits and Fascias: Outdoor critters love to nest in soffit and fascia vents, especially during the winter. At the start of spring, inspect your soffits and fascias for any animals that may have nested there for warmth.

Though these tasks may seem simple, having them done properly is more important than ease. If your roof seems seriously damaged or is too dangerous to maintain on your own, it's time to hire a professional. That's where we can help! At Phil's Main Roofing, we are available to perform inspections on commercial and residential roofs, and our seasoned team of professionals can assist in repairing roofs from all kinds of weather damage. Don't put yourself in harms way, call Phil's Main Roofing at 203-838-4545 for help today!