Prepare Your Asphalt Roof for the End of Winter

Winter can wreak havoc on your asphalt shingles. We will walk you through maintaining your roof and repairing any damage.

Winter is harsh on every part of our home, but is toughest on our roofs. If you have asphalt shingles, it is important to perform semi-annual inspections and perform any maintenance and repairs to keep your home in its best condition, explains an article from How to Fix Everything for Dummies. Ideally, these semi-annual inspections should be done as winter is winding down in your region and before winter begins. The following list details what to look for and what to do while you’re up on your roof:

• Clean all debris from the surface of the roof, including debris that gathers behind HVAC units, pipes and other roof penetration points. Debris can hold water, which can speed up roof deterioration, especially in asphalt roofs.
• If you find that your roof is starting to collect moss or algae, install some zinc or lead control strips.
• Check all flashings and ensure that they don’t have holes in them and are not deteriorated.
• Keep all gutters free of debris and make sure that downspouts are draining properly by water testing them.
• Trim back any branches that are hanging over your roof.
• Check the open valley metal for rust. If you find some rust, use a wire brush to remove it and then prime and paint it to prevent further rust. If the rust is pervasive or difficult to remove, you can purchase a rust remover at your local home supply store.
• Check all caulking and sealants. Look for any caulking that is cracked from the weather or damaged. Scrape and remove damaged caulking, clean the area thoroughly, using a wire brush if necessary. Replace it with a polyurethane caulking.
• Inspect the mortar on chimneys and parapet walls, both in between the bricks and on top of the structure. If you locate any damage, you can have a mason perform repairs.

The final, and most important step is to look for any loose or damaged shingles. When an asphalt shingle is loose, it can dry out and the bottom edge will start to curl. If you have a spell of strong wind, these shingles are apt to fly off. Damaged shingles have a few telltale signs. Look for shingles that have the grit coming off the top (you will see the sandy substance accumulating in the gutter), missing tabs or leaves or twigs wedged under them.

Once you locate a damaged shingle, follow these steps to perform repairs:

• If the shingle doesn’t look irreparable and there is no grit collecting in the gutter, carefully lift the edge and pull out any debris lodged underneath.
• Coat the underside of the shingle with roofing cement.
• If the shingle is torn, smear roofing cement on the top surface to prevent leaks and rips from growing.

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