Are you getting ready to have an asphalt shingle roof installed on your home? If so, you need to understand how to properly maintain an Asphalt Shingle Roof so that it reaches its life expectancy.
It’s widely known that asphalt roofing is among the roofing materials that have the shortest life span. An asphalt shingle roof is expected to last 15 to 30 years, but other roofing materials can last up to 50 years or more.
This is why it is important for homeowners to understand the best ways to maintain the asphalt shingle roof on their home, to enable it to reach its life expectancy period.
But before we move on to discuss the best ways to maintain an asphalt shingle roof, let us discuss some of the factors that limit the life span of an asphalt shingle roof. Because without knowing what these factors are, we can’t properly maintain our roof.
Here are 3 common factors that limit the life expectancy of an asphalt shingle roofing.
- Climatic and weather conditions: climatic and weather conditions such as snow, hailstorm, and hurricanes can shorten the lifespan of all roof types, not just asphalt shingles. But with the tips shared in this post, you can reduce the impact of those conditions on your roof.
- Roofing Brand: Choosing the right asphalt shingle brand can help you extend your roof life. The brand of shingle you use on your roof also determines the durability and longevity of your roof.
Every asphalt shingle manufacturer has its own unique blend of raw materials. And these materials are used to create better products and address specific roofing issues.
But to effectively determine the best roofing brand to go with depends on your location, weather conditions, and other factors. So, it’s advisable to look for a roofing contractor who can recommend the most durable brands and who can give you a realistic estimate of each material’s life expectancy.
- Improper Installation: When your roof is not properly installed, it creates lots of vulnerability to the roof and shortens the roof life.
This is one of the major factors that limit the life expectancy of any roofing materials and why you should only work with reliable roofing contractors to install, repair, or inspect your roof for maximum productivity.
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The post will teach you all you need to know when choosing a roofing contractor and helps you make the right decision when hiring them.
There are other factors that can affect the lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof, such as, sun exposure, ventilation, roof color, and more, but the 3 factors shared above are the prevalent factors that can affect your roof’s lifespan.
Now that you’re aware of the common factors that can limit the lifespan of your roof, let’s move on to discuss how to effectively maintain an asphalt shingle roof.
7 Simple Ways To Maintain an Asphalt Shingle Roof
Knowing the proper ways to maintain your asphalt shingle roof is not only to positively impact its lifespan but also to improve the look of your roof and home in general.
The tips shared below will go a long way to help you achieve your goal, which is a longer roof life if you follow it through.
Having said that, here are 7 simple ways you can effectively maintain your asphalt shingle roof to get those extra years from it.
- Clean all the debris from your asphalt shingle roof
Make sure you clear the roof surface of debris, including leaves, branches, and other items, as this can cause water buildup and contribute to the deterioration of the asphalt.
You can properly clean all the debris from the roof using a leaf blower or other systems.
But while cleaning your debris ensure you cover your gutters to avoid creating extra work for yourself. - Maintain Clean Gutters
Maintaining clean gutters promotes proper water drainage from your roof and prevents moss and algae from building up over time.
When your gutters become clogged with debris, water will back up inside them which can damage your roof.
Hop up on your roof whenever possible or when you experience a severe storm to clean out all debris as this can help you to properly maintain your asphalt shingle roof. - Inspect for Moss and Algae
When you failed to regularly clean your asphalt shingle roof, moss growth will be inevitable.
When moss continues to grow on your roof over time, it will allow debris to gather on your roof which promotes water buildup and contributes to the deterioration of the asphalt shingles.
Failure to properly remove algae or moss from your roof will not only shorten your roof life but also, lead to the damage of your home because of leaks from the roof.
You can adequately remove algae stain from your roof using some chemicals like trisodium phosphate and water.
Avoid regular use of harsh chemicals or pressure washing on asphalt shingles as this can damage asphalt shingles or shorten their lifespan.
Make sure the products you are using to remove moss or algae stain are marked safe to use on an asphalt shingle roof. - Trim Overgrown Tree Branches
Inspect your roof for any tree branches that are either making contact with your roof or are blocking sunlight.
More sunlight on your roof reduces the chances of the growth of algae or moss on the roof and less debris accumulation.
Trim your tree branches whenever you can to maintain your roof and prevent any problem that can come from overgrown tree branches. - Check Shingles
Examine the shingles to make sure they are in good condition. If there are loose shingles, use roofing cement to repair them. If you find missing or damaged shingles, replace them as soon as possible. - Check Roof Flashings
Your roof flashing is what prevents water from seeping into your home.
When your roof flashing is damaged, you’re not only exposed to roof damage but also can cause damages to your home as water can easily leak through from your roof.
Repairing or replacing most of these minor issues is essential as it does not only prolong your roof’s lifespan but prevents your home from damages. - Perform Roof Inspection After Severe Weather Events
The only way you can actually determine whether something is wrong with your roof after a weather event is to perform a thorough inspection of your roof.
You can do this on your own or have a professional roofing contractor come in and take a professional look at your roof.
The truth is, there are issues a professional roofing contractor can find on your roof which might go unnoticed if you were the one inspecting your roof, most especially after a severe weather event.
Conclusion
Asphalt shingle roofs are the most popularly roofing materials here in Texas, and throughout the U.S. because they’re easy to maintain and relatively affordable when compared to other roof types.
We have shown you the best ways to maintain an asphalt shingle roof. If you follow what we stated here to the letter, you will be able to get those extra years from your roof.
If you’re considering installing an Asphalt Shingle Roof on your home, get in touch with our team at Austin Roof Royale to discuss your options. We are a locally based Austin roofing company that provides some of the highest quality roofing services around. Our number one goal is customer satisfaction and we strive to make that happen. To request a free quote or learn more about our services, give us a call today at (512) 379-7933.
