Shingled roofs installed by experienced roofers are attractive, long lasting, and very economical in comparison to other, more expensive material. Yet shingles do require a certain amount of maintenance for them to last as long or longer than the manufacturer's advice. By using the following tips from professional roofer services, any homeowner can easily provide the maintenance necessary to keep their shingled roof in the best condition with fewer problems and a longer roof life.
Keep the Gutters Clean
Gutters are an essential part of every roof system; however, they tend to fill with dirt and vegetation fairly quickly. When this happens, water pools up in the gutters instead of flowing into the downspouts. It can also cause serious problems with shingles if water build-up is enough that the ends of the shingles become submerged. This can lead to shingles soaking up water and damage to the underlying adhesive and underlayment as well.
Shingles will begin to loosen and in colder temperatures experience ice damming as the water under the shingles begins to freeze, pushing them up off the decking. Although it may appear minor, roofers know that dirty gutters have the ability to ruin an entire shingled roof.
Keep Branches and Leaves Cleared Away
Branches can damage shingles in a variety of ways, from scraping and cracking them to pushing them up off the decking or chipping the edges. Large branches can penetrate the shingles, making a hole in the entire roofing system. On the other hand, leaves can lay on the surface of the shingles or collect in the gutters, causing them to retain water or grow moss and mildew.
To prevent these types of problems, roofer services recommend keeping all trees trimmed back from the house so that branches and leaves cannot affect it.
Clean Off Vegetative Growth
Moss, algae, and even mildew will grow on shingles in wetter areas, creating a fuzzy or slimy coating that can become damaging after a while. Any growth can prevent shingles from drying out sufficiently and over enough time, cause the shingles to peel, swell, or decompose in other ways. When moss or some other type of growth is discovered on a shingled roof, it is important for homeowners to call expert roofers to remove this growth by scrubbing the shingles clean.
Inspect the Roof Often
Homeowners should inspect their roofs often and look for potential concerns that need attention. View the surface from afar, looking at all sides to see if anything seems out of place, then try to take a closer look. Before climbing a ladder for that closer look, roofer services stress that homeowners should never walk on the top of their house, just observe from the ladder. Look for missing flashing, damaged shingles, and anything else that seems to be in disrepair. Check for evidence of leaks in the attic and try to get an idea of the overall shingle condition. When this is not possible, hire roofers to inspect the shingles instead.
With the helpful suggestions from professional roofers referenced above, homeowners can keep their shingles in great condition year after year. Naturally, if any of these tasks are too difficult or if any other problems with shingles are an issue, homeowners should make a call to local roofer services who can help!