Once you have your roof replaced and make that kind of investment into your home, you want to ensure that you get the most out of its lifespan. One of the most popular types of shingles among homeowners is asphalt. Despite this model being very durable in most environments, there are precautions you can take to avoid unnecessary wear and tear. Read on to learn a few easy things you can do to extend the life of your new roof.
Inspect Roof for Damage
One of the best ways to extend the lifespan of your new asphalt roof is to routinely check it for damage. This is especially important when severe weather rolls through your neighborhood. Even though asphalt shingles are incredibly durable, high winds and hail can cause great damage to this type of shingle. Depending on the design of your roof, damage can be difficult to locate. Even if you notice only one or two shingles have become dislodged after a storm, it’s still important to address the problem. A small compromised area will continue to grow and become a bigger problem for your home. Whether you get on the roof yourself or hire a professional, these are the following conditions to look for.
- Missing or dislodged shingles
- Shingles that are missing patches of the granular coating
- Curling on the edges of the shingles
- Shingles that have holes or a black discoloration due to the impact of large hail
Since gaining access to the roof can be a dangerous task, our team at Exterior Remodel and Design is happy to assist you by performing a roof inspection. Our roofers are always updating their knowledge of the industry and strive to leave customers as pleased as possible with their roof.
Clean Your Gutters
The best practice when it comes to cleaning your gutters is to inspect your gutters twice a year, once in the early summer and once in the early fall, to be sure they are clean. If you have a lot of mature trees on your property that shed leaves during the fall, you will definitely want to make checking your gutters a priority. If your gutters become backed up with debris, water is unable to properly drain away from the roof. If the moisture can not probably drain, it can back up underneath the shingles. This can cause expensive interior water damage and can compromise the integrity of the shingles.
Review Ventilation System
Ensuring that your home has a properly functioning ventilation system will not only aid in extending the life of your roof, but it also plays a key role in the overall integrity of your home’s structure. Signs of a poor ventilation system can be spotted during the summer and winter months. During the summer, if you notice a spike in your energy bills or that your upstairs seems to be stuffy, chances are your ventilation system is not working as well as it should be. Excessive heat from daily activities, such as bathing and cooking, can become trapped and require your air conditioner to work harder to cool your living space. These increased temperatures can also cause a lot of unnecessary stress on your roofing material, not to mention anything you have stored in your attic.
Checking the ventilation system in your home is especially important for homes in the Midwest that experience harsh winter conditions every year. If your home has poor ventilation, ice dams can form and be a big threat to shingles and gutters. Ice dams form when water pools and cools on the edges of your rooftop. If the roof is properly ventilated, the snow on the shingles will not melt and refreeze, making ice dam unlikely. When an ice dam does form, it forces water back underneath the shingles, sending it draining down exterior walls within your home. Ice dams can also take shingles and gutters off the roof if they become heavy enough and break a part.
Contact ERD
If you think your roof is in need of an inspection, our team at Exterior Remodel and Design, Inc. are here to help! Our experienced roofers will install, replace, and repair any type of roofing you may have. Exterior Remodel & Design, Inc. has become a well-trusted name when it comes to roofing in Omaha. We are willing to work with our customers and always take pride in doing a job the right way. Call Exterior Remodel & Design, Inc. today to get a fast, free estimate from the most trusted roofers in Omaha. As Omaha’s most trusted roofing contractors, you can count on us for craftsmanship unmatched by other roofing companies in the area.
Contact our team today by phone at (402) 861-0000, by email, or by contact form.