With winter almost behind us, it’s time to look to what’s ahead: spring storms. As wind blows out the cool temperatures and ushers in warmer ones storm systems will be ahead of, during, and after those winds of change. To prepare for spring storms a few simple steps could stand between a leaky roof and a non-leaky roof. And as always, Upson Company is available to help with all your commercial roof repairs and roof leaks in Boise and the surrounding Treasure Valley.

• Drains, Gutters and Downspouts– Are your drains, gutter and downspouts intact and fully functional? Did they survive the ice and snow from winter? While catching the downpour and directing it off your roof, gutters and downspouts direct rain from your building. With heavy rains additional water on the ground can make its way into and under foundations even with the best grading. Making sure your drains, gutters and downspouts are in proper order and clean will help ensure runoff is going where it’s supposed to go.
• Flat Roofs –Schedule and early inspection to check for damage from any snow removal that may have been completed over the winter. Also a quick check, to ensure all fasteners and penetration flashings were not damaged by heavy snow weight.
• Metal Roofs – Schedule an early inspection to ensure all fasteners, penetrations, and ribs in metal roof panels are not smashed flat. Metal roofs are not exempt from the crushing weight of snow. Check valleys for fasteners that could have been worked loose from ice thawing and re-freezing. Much like a boulder can be broken apart by water so can fasteners.
• Tiles and Shingles – If leaks have been a problem over the winter schedule Upson Company to come out and apply ice and water shield across the perimeter of roof edge and along valleys. This will prevent water moving up from ice dams and into interiors.