Owning a home comes with many responsibilities, and roof repair and maintenance are one of the most important. Asphalt shingles are relatively inexpensive compared to other types of roofs, making them an attractive choice for homeowners who want to save money on their monthly bills. However, asphalt shingles can last anywhere from ten to twenty years before they need repairs or replacement. If you aren’t careful about your roof’s upkeep throughout this period, you could find yourself paying hundreds or thousands more than necessary for these services.
What can you do?
There are several simple ways that homeowners can keep their roofs in good condition without having to hire contractors. But, if you can’t do this by yourself, you can always call professional companies like residential or commercial roofing in Pittsburgh, and you don’t have to worry about it. If you still plan on doing some roof repair yourself or even a full replacement but haven’t gotten the project started, here are 7 roof repair and maintenance tips every homeowner should know.
1. Monitor For Leaks
Leaks are a common problem for all roofs, but especially for asphalt. Asphalt shingles are lightweight compared to other types of material and easier to damage during strong winds or by falling debris. Homeowners should keep an eye on their roofs after big storms and monitor high-risk areas such as skylights, chimneys, vents, and fans. Asphalt repairs are dangerous because the material heats up when exposed to air and can cause serious burns if it comes into contact with skin, so you should consult a professional roofer for help.
2. Keep Dormers In Good Condition
Asphalt shingles are also not well-equipped to handle much wind, making dormers especially susceptible to damage. Dormers often sit much higher than the rest of a roof and can be subject to powerful winds that rip shingles off in sheets. If you want your roof to last as long as possible, be sure to keep all dormers in good condition. You can do this by painting them regularly or using weatherproof caulk to fill in any cracks that occur over time.
3. Always Use Roofing Underlayment When Installing Shingles
Roofing underlayment is an extremely important roof repair and maintenance tool for all homeowners, regardless of the type of shingles they use. Without underlayment, your shingles can easily blow away during a strong storm and cause leaks where there were none before. Underlayment will fill the airspace between your roof and your new shingles and provide them with extra protection against damaging winds.
4. Seal Vents And Flashing With Asphalt Caulk
Asphalt caulk is another important roof repair and maintenance tool that homeowners should regularly use. When vents or flashing are not properly sealed, water can easily get into these areas and damage the shingles or walls of your home. Such leaks can be difficult to find because they tend to look like ordinary cracks in the asphalt at first. Using caulk is a simple way to prevent small problems from becoming big ones.
5. Keep Roof Shingles Clean
Roofs can accumulate a lot of dirt, debris, and sometimes algae over time, but there’s no need to pressure wash them yourself if you have asphalt shingles. Asphalt roofs are designed to resist water, so they can easily handle a power washing. However, you should never use water alone to clean your roof because this will destroy the protective layer of asphalt and cause more leaks in the long run. Instead, you should opt for a softwash roof cleaning service. Softwashing is a low-pressure cleaning technique that is specifically designed to clean your roof without causing any damage to the materials.
6. Check Chimneys For Damage
Chimneys are a common source of damage for any type of roof, but especially for asphalt roofs. If shingles are not properly sealed where they meet the walls of your chimney, water can get inside these areas and cause leaks. This is why it’s important for homeowners to inspect their roofs regularly and fix any damage before it becomes worse.
7. Make Sure You Have A Reliable Roofing Contractor
Even after following all the best roof repair and maintenance practices, homeowners are still likely to experience damage once in a while. It’s important to have a reliable roofer on call should this ever happen to you. This way, you won’t have to wait for big storms or emergencies before getting help with your roof. A good contractor will come out to fix the damage right away, saving you both time and money in the long run.
Roofing has come a long way since the days of roofs made of straws. Asphalt shingles are now by far the most popular roofing material in America, but they do require some maintenance to extend their lifespan. Following these 7 roof repair and maintenance tips will help any homeowner keep their roofs in good condition.
