There are many things that a homeowner cares about, yet roofing seems to lag behind. Since your asphalt shingle roofing is an expensive asset, it’s only right to give it proper care. Be a proactive homeowner, not a reactive one. If business owners put emphasis on saving through preventive maintenance, so should you.
But what happens in the event of damage? Would you be able to tell that you need an asphalt shingle repair? The first part of this post discusses surefire signs of damage. The second part teaches you what to do next.
Related: 6 Roof Areas to Inspect Before Calling Roofing Contractors
Signs That Warrant an Asphalt Shingle Repair
1. Your shingles approach the end of their lifespan
How long do asphalt shingles last? According to the National Association of Home Inspectors, these kinds of roofing materials last up to 30 years. However, if your roof reaches the 20-year mark, better have it checked for hidden damage. If not severe, contractors can still perform repairs.
Other factors that affect your need for an immediate repair are the following: Presence of ventilation and the number of asphalt shingle layers. If you’re in doubt, better yet, check the year you last tackled a replacement.
2. Presence of moss on the roof
Some homeowners find moss on their asphalt roof attractive. Some dislike it. Either way, moss is a huge problem.
Experts will tell you that moss should be removed the moment you discover it. If left alone, moss retains water by using the mechanism of a sponge. It won’t be long before the mineral granules on your roof wear off. When leaks happen, there’s no other choice but to undergo a repair.
Watch out for frequent rains and shady areas. If there are trees with overhanging branches that nearly touch your roof, have them cut.
3. Broken shingles
Are broken asphalt shingles a cause for worry? Yes, they are, and that is why you shouldn’t leave them alone.
Certain times you’ll need to call a roofing contractor to inspect for cracks are days that follow bad weather. Be vigilant when a hail storm hits your area or when there are strong winds. But take note that with hailstones, you could sustain more than just broken shingles.
4. Damage around roof valleys
If you don’t know, roof valleys are troublesome areas. These are areas where two roofing slopes meet, creating a “V.” Valleys can be open or closed. Open when they’re uncovered by asphalt shingles, and closed when they are.
The reason why valleys are problem areas is that they retain water more. Rainwater passes through them and so they sustain damage over time. Rain isn’t the only culprit but also snow load. Watch out for roof valley leaks and call your contractor when they occur.
5. You find granules in the gutter
One of the signs that warrant an asphalt shingle repair is the evidence of granules in the gutter. Mineral granule loss happens normally. Expect to see a few. But if 10-15 years passed since you installed the roof, you should be worried.
Why will there be granules in your gutters? Excessive granule loss is caused by hail damage, aging, and even defective asphalt shingles. Asphalt granules are important in that they protect inner shingle layers. Once this protective layer wears off, UV rays penetrate your roof.
We recommend that you clean your gutters regularly. Because if you don’t, the granules that accumulate lead to clogs and water spilling to the sides.
6. Rising energy bills
Wondering why your energy bills suddenly increased for no apparent reason? Blame energy vampires that could include your roof. You read it right – your roof! If you don’t believe us, here are the ways roofing impacts your energy usage:
- Poor ventilation beneath the roof increases heat and moisture buildup.
- Holes on the roof and a lack of insulation allow air from the outside to go in and inside air to escape. This leads to an imbalance of temperature. As a result, your heating and cooling systems have to work harder.
- Low-quality asphalt shingles cannot effectively reflect the sun’s rays and therefore increase indoor temperature. Better yet, install top performing shingles from the start.
7. Your shingles start to curl
An asphalt shingle repair has to be done early when curling happens. Curling shingles are manifested as shingle edges lifted outwards. You may think that curling occurs only when your roof ages. You are partly correct.
The truth is, many factors cause shingles to curl aside from aging. These factors include improper installation and low-quality products. Poor roofing ventilation that heats up the bottom of the shingles also cause them to curl.
What to Do When It’s Time for a Repair
Having operated in the industry for years, we tell homeowners this: “Never attempt to do an asphalt shingle repair by yourself!”A lot of things can go wrong with the fact that a homeowner like yourself has no proper roofing knowledge and experience.
Deaths that result from going up the roof are prevalent. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, there are 384 out of 991 deaths from construction in 2016. This risk for falling off and dying increases with untrained individuals.
This is why we mentioned that you should know the age of your roof. As it gets old, you have enough reason to suspect signs of damage. Don’t wait for leaks, especially multiple ones. We advise you to call a licensed roofing contractor to go up your roof and repair it for you.
Final Thoughts
Since you read this blog post, have you realized the importance of prevention? Hopefully, you did, because being proactive is the way to spend less on roofing emergencies. It’s also important to hire a good roofing contractor to install your roof from the get-go.
So, what do you say? In case you’re currently dealing with damage, Silver Leaf Contracting LLC is at your service. Call us at 330-680-5987 or 330-313-0620.
We’ll come to your home and conduct a complete inspection before we do the repairs. Our repairs are timely, outstanding, and reasonably priced.
