A durable roof, even if it might sound odd, is the foundation of a protected house. The roof is what ensures a comfortable living. That's why, building and maintaining a strong roofing is essential. When it comes to roofing materials, roof shingles have always been one of the most popular ones. The main reason for this is their durability and robust nature.
To make sure your roof shingles will hold on for a long time to come, you must chose the life expectancy that fits your needs. The rating is given by the roofing manufacturers and it can cover a warranty of 10 years or even 50 years, with the related price difference. Even though a 10-year roof may cost less initially, the cost for repairs will add up in time, whereas for a 50-year roof, the starting investment will be bigger but the repair cost in time will be lower. Eventually, it's up to you to decide which ones you will go for and how much are you willing to invest.
However, no matter their quality, like other kinds of roofing materials, shingles are also prone to wear and tear over time. Replacing them can be costly and most people cannot afford to get new ones every year. For this reason it is important to care for and maintain roof shingles well. This way you will be able to prolong the lifespan of the roof shingles and keep costs on the low.
Even better, proper care for roof shingles can extend the life of your roof and reduce maintenance expenses. Of course, it requires a little work but it's well worth it. Here are some easy ways to maintain roof shingles and keep them in good condition for years.
Clean the roof
Debris is one of the biggest threats to your roof shingles so make sure you clean out any leaves and tree branches from the roof. It is not advisable to allow them to decompose on the roof. Also make sure you clean dirt, nails and other objects off your roof shingles if you want them to stay in good condition.
Inspect the roof
Every now and again you should inspect the roof shingles from the outside to ensure there are no problems with them. Any damage the shingles have can drastically reduce the lifespan of a roof. In order to make a careful inspection, look for cracks and other problems that could have affected the shingles. If you have found any problem that could endanger your house's safety and dryness, evaluate the situation and proceed to replacing the damaged shingles. Solving these problems quickly will result in lower expenses for you.
When you have to inspect roof shingles, the best place to start is in your attic. Look for discolouration of the ceiling or the wood as it could mean water damage. Also check the areas around chimneys and vents for damage. If there are any, make sure to check those shingles and replace them if necessary.
To assess the damage of the shingles look at their corners as see if they are curled and pulled up from the roof. You must also check for damage to the moisture barrier or flashing. If the singles are only cracked or split, you can repair them without removal, if they are still in a decent condition. To do so, you can use adhesive. When assessing the damages is done, you must calculate how many shingles you need for the reparation process.
Replacing Shingles
After you have done that, it's time to move to the next step: the actual replacing of the shingles. To correctly repair the damaged area, pull out the surrounding tiles around the cracked ones. It's recommended that you remove 2 from above, one from the left and one from the right. Continue by replacing the shingle with the same type and design as the previous one. The shingle should be aligned with the others.
Samples of square roofing shingle in charcoal black,forest green, venetian red and bark brown
The best time to undergo repairs on the roof shingles in on a cool weather. Heat can mold the material and make it more difficult to work with, that's why it's a lot easier to repair shingles that are cooled down. However, if you must do the repairs on a hot weather, you can cool down the shingles with cold water.
Keep in mind that when you're repairing the shingles you have to take the needed safety precautions for working on roofs. Always use protective eye-wear, heavy-duty gloves and a pair of gripping boots to ensure proper adherence. It is recommended that you never do roof work alone and at least have somebody to watch in case anything unexpected happens.
As you can see, properly caring for your roof can save you a lot of money and eventual problems. If you follow these simple steps, you are guaranteed to prolong the life of your roof and ensure yourself and your family a comfortable living. Of course, don't forget to use quality materials and tools for even better results.
