Roof Maintenance: Show Your Asphalt Roofing Shingles a Little Love

When it comes to roofing shingles, nothing works harder than asphalt protecting your home from the elements and asking so little in return. So little in fact that it’s easy to take them for granted. But even the oh-so-durable asphalt needs some tender loving care occasionally.

Debris, sun, wind, rain and the passage of time wear down and can eventually damage asphalt roofing shingles. Though shingles today are meant to last a lifetime, if properly installed and maintained, a roof inspection is in order every few years.

A roof inspection does two things: 1] checks up on the roofing system’s integrity;  and 2] identifies any minor repairs or maintenance needed to keep the shingles in tip top shape.

Roofing shingles by nature can collect a fair amount of debris. Leaves, needles, dirt and dust, toys and trash need to be removed. Left there for extended periods of time only means they have more time to soak up rain, which can lead to water damage and a leaky roof. The goal here is to remove anything that could wear away the asphalt granules.

Flashings are a common cause of roof leaks. They should be inspected for any damage, holes or areas where water could get through and any needed repairs made quickly. Any loose roofing shingles should be repaired or replaced as necessary. The same goes for damaged tabs.

Guttering is an important part of a roofing system and need to be included in the maintenance process. Check gutters and downspouts for debris or obstructions and clear them away to keep water flowing as it should. Trees tend to be the culprit for roof and gutter debris. Have any branches that overhang the roof trimmed away.

Caulking and sealants don’t share roofing shingles endurance and need to be checked for cracks, especially as your roof ages.

A little roof maintenance goes a long way toward extending the life of your roof. An inspection finds little issues before they turn into big (read expensive) problems and repair work. Roof leaks aren’t always obvious and can cause interior damage, like mold and wood rot that remains out of sight for years.

All that being said, we also want to emphasize just how dangerous being on a roof can be. A roofing professional should inspect asphalt roofing shingles. Otherwise, you risk creating damage that didn’t exist before.