Get Your Roof in Shape This Spring

May 27, 2025

Winter can be hard on our homes. With so much time spent inside, dust, dirt, and clutter accumulate. As we open our windows this spring and tidy up the interior of our homes, we must also think about the exterior, especially our roofs.

“Our definition of spring cleaning must expand to the outside of our homes,” said Wendy Cline, co-owner of J & B Construction. “After a Wisconsin winter with wind, snow, and rain, it is important to check on the condition of our roofs as we step into a new season.”

The following are a few steps to take to spruce up your roof this spring:

Inspect Your Roof

Grab a pair of binoculars and look at your roof from the ground.

The most important aspect of your roof to look at is its shingles. Are any missing, curled, or stained? Missing shingles invite water into your home, which can cause leaks. Curled shingles show a roof’s age and point to ineffective ventilation. Stained shingles are a sign of algae and water buildup around the area.

Another feature of your roof to pay attention to is its flashing, those areas around the chimney and vents where the slope of your roof changes. If you see rust or cracks, moisture may have a direct path into your home.

Finally, if debris like leaves is on the roof, it’s important to clear it. “Debris left on the roof for a period attracts moisture, which causes mold,” Wendy said. “If ignored, this mold is not only detrimental to the shingles of your roof, but also to the health of you and your family.”

Check Your Interior

While inspecting the roof from the outside can help you notice issues, checking the interior of your home for signs of water damage can be beneficial as well.

Signs of water damage include brown ring-like stains on the ceilings and peeling paint.

“Searching the attic for signs is also a must,” said Wendy. “You should be looking for water stains, mold, and/or a musty smell. Pay attention to your insulation and ask yourself if it’s evenly distributed or if you see any gaps.”

Clean Your Gutters

In a winter climate, it’s common for gutters to be filled with debris after a long, cold season.

“If your gutters are clogged, the rain that comes this spring will stand on the roof,” Wendy said. “It may overflow, causing that water to pool around your foundation.”

After you clear your gutters, use a hose to flush out your downspouts so water drains properly.

Trim Your Trees

“If you have overhanging branches near your roof, it is best to cut them back,” said Wendy. “If a spring or summer storm comes our way, the last thing you want is the branches to fall on the roof and cause damage.”

Trimming your trees’ branches is best now before they have a chance to fully grow leaves. It will also help lessen the amount of leaves, sticks, and other items that end up on your roof this season.

Contact J & B Construction

While homeowners can do most of their roofs’ “spring cleaning”, sometimes calling in a professional to do an inspection can reassure them.

“J & B Construction can catch any issues you may have missed,” Wendy said. “We can also identify any underlying causes of damage and suggest improvements to enhance the roof’s performance, energy efficiency, and lifespan.”

So, if your roof has been damaged in a recent storm or is showing clear signs of aging, don’t trust the repair or replacement to just any roofing contractor. Based in Germantown, Wisconsin, J & B Construction has been the most trusted roofing company serving the Milwaukee suburbs and Southeast Wisconsin since 1958. To get started solving your roofing issues, contact us today.

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Enjoy Peace Of Mind

The only complaint I have is when I have J&B do my roof in another 30 years or so, is Dave their sales man (a great guy) would not guaranty I could get the same great crew I had this time. They did a fantastic job. Much better than the last roofing company did. A nice bunch of guys. Did a very nice job cleaning up. I'd give them 10 stars but 5 is the limit. If you need a roof done this is the company you want to do it. One more point I need to make. The guys that did the chimney flashing are artists. I went up on the roof when they were done and was very pleased with not only the roofing job but the sculptured sheet metal work. It's kind of a shame it's on the roof and not hanging on the family room wall :). You get the point. Hire em. You'll like em.

Dave H

We live in a historic designated neighborhood and recently had our 30 year wood shingle roof replaced with another wood roof and new gutters. From Day 1 of the project to the final day, the entire team was responsive, professional, and very competent. When some minor changes were proposed by us they quickly and effortlessly complied. After going through this experience with J&B, I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a roof and gutter replacement, whether it be a simple or complicated project.

John Lamb

J & B did an amazing job from start to finish. The initial meeting at my home took place exactly at the time that was agreed upon and Scott was thorough in his explanations and transparent about costs. When the time came to begin the project, the team that showed up was friendly, professional and timely in getting the project done. The cleanup afterward was such that it looked like they hadn't been there at all. The roof looks great, there were no surprises and Scott came by to inspect the work and explain the warranty upon job completion. I would highly recommend them.

Kenneth Simons

My neighbor had their roof replaced and I was really impressed with the speed, carefulness and quality of the work I saw. Asked her for her experience and she told me she would highly recommend J & B. I called Scott to set an appointment. He showed up on time and was very thorough in his assessment, also letting me know about some other issues and advise on where to get help. J & B is a fantastic company to deal with - their people are incredibly careful about the work they do, clean up and leave the property in the same condition as when they started, were careful about plants and the house, and work very efficiently. The office staff is great about following up, checking in and very responsive to anything that comes up. I was happy with the price charged. If you are looking to replace your roof, you should be calling J & B to get the job done.

David W.

We had work done by the J&B team at a commercial property and were very pleased with the whole process. Their estimator met us onsite and communicated with us every step of the way. They went over the scope in detail and the work performed exceeded what we were expecting. They found some additional concerns during the installation that were quickly addressed and communicated to us and to our surprise, there was not an additional charge. Our tenants reached out to share how respectful the employees were during the installation and how clean everything was left afterwards. As the project was wrapped up, we were walked through the completion paperwork and provided the warranty information. Very impressed with the professionalism of this company and would not hesitate to refer their services or use them again in the future.

Jessie C.