Get your EPDM roof ready for spring

Winter is officially over, and days are starting to get warmer little by little. Spring is a great season to schedule a thorough roof inspection to check if there was any damage during the winter months and take advantage of the longer days to carry out any eventual repairs and reinforce the roof’s safety and functionality. Remember, a roof is a building’s first line of defense against the elements throughout the year and it’s important to keep it in good shape.

Whenever considering a roof inspection, we strongly advise contacting our network of licensed Elevate contractors. They have been trained in one of our training centers and have the expertise not only to carry out roof inspections, but also to provide advice on safety practices and procedures and ensure everything runs smoothly and as efficiently as possible, so you can spend more time enjoying the sunny days ahead. 

Check that gutters and drains are unclogged and that the roof is clear of any debris. After a long winter, debris such as dead leaves can clog the gutters or even accumulate in certain areas, compromising the roof’s performance. It is important to clear any clogged spaces or else water won’t be drained properly from the roof and puddles can be created, resulting in ice dams or roof moisture which may affect the insulation layer under the roofing membrane.

Another logical step when inspecting a roof is to check that the roofing membrane itself isn’t damaged. Hailstorms, which are becoming more frequent and more intense, can be particularly damaging, so it is important to check if the membrane has suffered punctures or is damaged in any other way. Our RubberGard EPDM roofing membrane has outstanding puncture resistance and its flexibility helps it absorb impacts, making it extremely resilient. In the event of damage, it can be easily repaired. RubberGard EPDM is also a great material for renovation projects and can be directly installed over the existing roofing membrane. Again, we stress the importance of contacting a licensed Elevate contractor to ensure a high quality installation.

Another potential issue to look out for is the presence of standing or ponding water. When dealing with extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain and snow, excessive water volumes may accumulate on one or more locations on the roof. It is important to quickly identify this issue, as the resulting puddles might become slippery, creating a dangerous zone for people working on the roof, and can generate leaks if they remain for too long in one specific spot. Ponding water can also affect other roof components and cause their accelerated deterioration.

Last, but not least, it is important to remember that time and prevention are key! Make use of the longer and warmer spring days to do a roof inspection and carry out any eventual maintenance tasks. The longer you wait, the higher the chance for the roof to develop bigger issues which can potentially lead to leaks and generate a much bigger damage to the building, with larger remediation costs. It is better to take a few simple preventive measures rather than spend a lot of time and money on a complete roof renovation. Prevention and choosing quality products installed in a professional way are the secret to ensure your roof is performing as it should the whole year round.