How to maintain a roof of asphalt shingles
A roofing system is a great investment for owners and can represent a significant percentage of construction costs. Part of the roofer’s job is to help the owner protect their investment by performing thorough and thorough roof maintenance on a regular basis. This can help ensure that the roof is properly protected.
Below you will find a useful checklist with suggestions on roof maintenance that will help the roofer not to miss any fundamental aspects during routine maintenance activities. If you are an owner, this list will serve as a guide to what to expect when you hire a professional to carry out the routine maintenance of your roof. Best Roofing contractors in Brownstown Michigan available from https://downriverroofers.com/. Downriver Roofers pompously serves all residential and commercial roofing clients in Downriver, Michigan. Our roofing specialists will take care all of your roofing repair, installation, and replacement needs
What can you expect from an asphalt roof?
Asphalt is one of the most popular materials used for residential roofs. In fact, statistics indicate that four out of five households in the United States have asphalt shingles. It adapts simply to different styles of construction and has a high-quality level of resistance to climatic factors.
What factors cause damage to the roof?
An average ceiling is exposed to many adverse factors throughout its useful life; frequently, more than other areas of housing. Some common examples include:
- Exposure to climatic factors (sunlight, wind, rain, hail, snow)
- Growth of biological organisms (blue algae, tree or plant residues)
- Inadequate installation techniques
- Irregular maintenance or repairs
- Changes in the use of construction (which produce an increase in humidity or an imbalance of ventilation)
Why is roof maintenance necessary?
Although there are no obvious external signs of damage, all owners must ensure that a professional inspects the roof periodically and performs the necessary maintenance tasks. Keeping the roof in good condition can protect the home. Maintenance is an investment that can have a great performance over time.
Four steps for periodic roof maintenance
A roofer can help an owner properly maintain their roof of asphalt shingles by carrying out four basic steps twice a year, as well as after intense storms (be it rain storms, ice, hail or snow, or any other phenomenon).
Follow the roof maintenance checklist provided below.
It is also important to remind homeowners that they should always contact a licensed roofing contractor to help them perform the roof inspection and repairs.
- General cleaning
An important part of roof maintenance is the cleaning, unblocking and routine ordering of the roof and related systems. Pay attention not only to tiles and flashing, but also to other key components, such as gutters, downspouts, installations (such as skylights, vents, chimneys or solar panels) and ventilation.
We recommend the following:
Working from the ground, owners should, as far as possible, periodically clean the roof debris, such as leaves, branches and other elements that may accumulate on the surface. The roofer can use a leaf blower to carry out this task, taking care to orient the air down the roof (to avoid dragging the waste up or under the tiles). Use a pallet to remove the leaves and organic material from the gutters. This will help ensure that the water circulates unobstructed to the downspouts. The owners can analyze the possibility of installing eaves protectors, which are grids with metal mesh that prevent the accumulation of waste and facilitate cleaning.
Make sure that the downspouts are clear and have good circulation so that the water can drain off the roof well away from the home (instead of leaking or dripping down the sides of the house). To this end, the owner can take note of any leaks or drips observed during a storm or later, and inform the contractor about them during the inspection.
- Roof inspection
Once the roof is clear, the roofer must perform an inspection to detect any possible problem or warning signal that may imply inconveniences over time. This inspection must be done twice a year (we recommend doing it in the spring and autumn). In this way, the roofer will have the opportunity to notice any suspicious situation, as well as complete minor repairs or minor repairs before they become larger problems. As a roofer, keeping a detailed follow-up of your client’s roof will allow you to become familiar with the roof, which will give you the advantage of knowing if there has been any change, a key factor in detecting problems early. Also, check if there is any sign that the ventilation system (inlet or outlet) is not working properly or requires maintenance or cleaning (some clear signs may be condensation inside the attic or accumulations of ice).
- Repair
A trained roofer should immediately perform roof repairs of asphalt shingles necessary to maintain the integrity of the roofing materials and related systems (such as drainage and ventilation). By making small adjustments properly, larger problems or other major repairs can be avoided over time.
The roofer can carry out these tasks:
- Repair or replace missing, broken or buckled tiles
- The roofer can use roofing cement or nails to repair tiles that are cracked or loose. You can also replace shingles that have been blown apart or broken and separated.
- Replace or install flashing at the vertices
- The roofer can also analyze the possibility of replacing the existing flashing of the corners if they are corroded, cracked or are no longer held in place, as this puts their waterproofing properties at risk.
Replace other flashings
The roof mechanic may utilize roofing cement or nails to replace metal flashing around chimneys, roof vents, or other installations in the event the flashing is loose or damaged. If the flashing will be installed against bricks, it is recommended to use a model of copper or galvanized steel, since the lime of the mortar can corrode the aluminum.
Repair gutters or downspouts:
With gutter caulking material, a gutter patch kit or cement for roofs and patches, the roofer can repair gutter or downspout parts that leak or corrode. In case they are loose, it will determine the proper inclination with a level and re-hang them so that they have a correct drainage.
- Record keeping
Owners of professional or industrial buildings often work with commercial roofing companies to keep a formal record of roof inspections and repairs. This is an important aspect of maintenance and data collection, which helps to endorse good occupational health and safety practices.
Residential roofers could benefit from adopting this same approach for the roofs of their customers that are in good condition. The following recommendations can also help the roofer to provide its customers with a maintenance process superior to that of the competition.
5. Keep track
The roofer should take note of any possible problems observed during the inspection of a roof (for example, the appearance of rust in the flashing or the presence of a single raised nail). If the situation is not disturbing at that time, the roofer should check it at the next inspection to see if it is getting worse. You can analyze if it is time to make repairs or replacements if you notice systematic or important damage. The roofer must also record all repairs that he carries out. This will also allow creating a roof history for homeowners, other roofing contractors who can hire later, or even future owners who want to see what jobs have been done over the years to maintain the roof.
How to Maintain an Asphalt Shingle Roof
If it is safe to do so, the roofer should take pictures of the roof and the drainage systems (or ask a colleague to help him safely). This can give the roofer and owner a reference record in comparison to which to measure if a small problem seems to be getting worse. Or, if the roofer detects a change in the roof and is not sure of its meaning, he can send the photograph by e-mail to a colleague to see if he thinks a repair is necessary.
A roof in good condition makes the home well protected. Regardless of whether you are an owner looking to maintain the life of your roofing system or a roofing professional who needs to educate your client about the benefits of periodic inspections and repairs, committing to a regular schedule is like building a roof correctly: an investment that is really worth it.