Ways to Increase the Longevity of Your Asphalt Shingle Roof
As a trusted roofing contractor in New Jersey, Allied Roofing Solutions is experienced in all the things you need to know regarding your asphalt shingle roof. Read further to learn about ways you can protect your investment and extend the life of your roof.
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Discover Ways to Increase the Longevity of Your Asphalt Shingle Roof
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. It has a crucial role in protecting your home from the sun, strong winds, cold weather, and other harsh elements. As such an important aspect of the house, you want your asphalt shingle roof to last as long as possible. Typically, an asphalt roof lasts anywhere between 15 to 25 years, depending on the type of shingles. A roof replacement is costly, which is another reason why you should be motivated to increase the longevity of the roof. When you keep your roof maintained, you can avoid
Types of Asphalt Shingles
Regardless of the type of asphalt shingle on your roof, you will need to maintain the roof properly to get the full life out of it. But, different grades of roofing shingles may affect the total lifespan of your roof. There are three grades of shingles: 1) three-tab asphalt shingles, 2) architectural/dimensional roofing shingles, and 3) premium and luxury shingles.
Three-Tab Asphalt Shingles
The most affordable of the three grades of asphalt shingles is the three-tab shingles. These are the most popular type of asphalt shingles for single-family homes. They are affordable, easy to install, and durable. On average, three-tab asphalt shingles last 10 to 20 years. Each shingle has three flaps (tabs), separated by small gaps that give the appearance of three individual shingles.
Architectural/Dimensional Roofing Shingles
Architectural shingles, also referred to as composite shingles, are more expensive than three-tab shingles because they are more durable and have a longer lifespan. They also have more designs with more shapes and colors to choose from. Each architectural shingle is 50% thicker than a three-tab and is an individual shingle so it takes longer to install and the labor cost is higher as a result.
Premium, Luxury, or Designer Shingles
Luxury shingles are the best shingle there is. Luxury and designer asphalt shingles come in a wide variety. These shingles have multiple layers and enhanced patterns that make them more stylish, more durable, and energy efficient. When maintained properly, they can last up to 30 to 50 years. Even though they are more expensive than the other two grades, this option becomes more cost-effective when taking into consideration the durability and long lifespan.
How To Increase the Longevity of Your Asphalt Shingle Roof
7 things to do that will make your asphalt shingle roof last longer.
#1. Get Your Roof Inspected
Regularly having roof inspections is one of the most important things you can do to extend the life of your asphalt shingle roof. You may be able to look at the roof and see the state of it, but you won’t always find the faults that a trained professional can. Periodically hiring a roof contractor to inspect the roof can help catch minor issues before they become big ones down the road. We recommend an inspection at least once a year.
#2. Clean the Gutters
When your gutters get clogged from rain, snow, or wind, the water is diverted and can end up pooled at the edge of the roof. Regularly clean your gutters to get rid of leaves, sticks, and debris so that water doesn’t find its way underneath shingles and other places it isn’t wanted.
#3. Keep Trees Trimmed
You may love the trees that are close to your house because of their beauty and the shade they provide, but you must maintain them to avoid issues. Keeping trees trimmed so the branches don’t hang over the house is important to keeping your roof in good shape. Tree branches can damage your roof by scratching it or causing an impact if the branch breaks, and they can also be a path for pests to get to your roof.
#4. Make Sure the Attic is Adequately Ventilated
The attic’s ventilation system allows your home and roof to breathe properly. Ensuring that the attic is adequately ventilated is extremely important in extending the asphalt shingle roof’s lifespan. If you hired a reputable roofing contractor to install the roof, you should have the proper amount of vents.
However, if you don’t have adequate attic ventilation, the trapped hot and cold air will shorten the life of the roof. In the summer, heat builds up in the attic and causes the hot air to burn the roof, which will deteriorate the adhesives in the roof decking and cause the shingles to crack or curl. In the winter, the heat and moisture from the inside of the house will travel into the cold attic and cause condensation to get trapped in the roof decking. The trapped condensation then causes the decking to lose the ability to hold nails, lose its load-bearing capacity, and cause mold/mildew.
#5. Clean Off Moss
Over time, moss that is growing on your asphalt shingle roof can cause problems. While not necessarily an emergency, moss on roof shingles can cause multiple problems when left unaddressed. Moss can grow in, under, and around your roof tiles acting as a filler that isn’t wanted, creating such issues as wood rotting and the obstruction of drainage points. These can result in costly repairs and reduce the lifespan of your roof. Don’t use a pressure washer to remove moss and algae that you see on an asphalt shingle roof. A pressure washer will blow the protective granules off the shingles, compromise them, and shorten the life of the roof. Instead, find a professional company that specializes in soft washing and roof cleaning.
#6. Avoid Ice Dams
If your geographic area has severe winter storms, ice dams can form on your roof and cause leaks. To avoid this from happening, clear off big chunks of ice or snow to keep water flowing off of the roof all year long.
#7. Fix Missing or Damaged Shingles
Over time, roof shingles will get compromised especially if you live in an area with harsh winds or heavy snowstorms. When you see shingles that are cracked, curling, or missing you will need to replace those. Damaged shingles can let water seep in and cause the seething below them to rot. This not only causes issues with the roof structure but also affects the energy efficiency of your home. Repairing asphalt shingles on a roof is critical to the longevity of the roof.
Contact Allied Roofing Solutions Today
Our knowledgeable and professional roofing experts at Allied Roofing Solutions can help you with any of your asphalt shingle roof needs. If you need to inspect your roof, replace shingles, replace an entire roof, or have your roof repaired, call us today. We serve residents in the following New Jersey counties: Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Middlesex, Essex, Hudson, Somerset, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union. Call us today for a free estimate at (201) 773-0633 or fill out our contact form to get started. We look forward to hearing from you.