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Maintenance

Roofing Shingles Maintenance

Roofing Shingles Maintenance Is Important For Peak Performance

Many factors affect the performance of a roofing system. Understanding these factors will help you make informed decisions about roofing shingles maintenance. Perform checkups on roofing systems in the fall and spring to help diagnose potential problems.

Shingles Maintenance Tips: What To Look For

Cracked, warped or missing shingles which indicate the end of the shingle's life expectancy
Loose materials or wear around chimneys, pipes and other penetrations
Excessive surface granules in gutters or downspouts; granules give shingles added weight and protect them from ultraviolet rays
Indoors, look for cracked paint, discolored plasterboard and peeling wallpaper as signs of damaged roof areas

Factors That Affect Roofing System Performance

Sun: Heat and ultraviolet rays cause roofing materials to deteriorate over time. Deterioration can occur faster on the sides facing west or south.
Rain: When water gets underneath shingles, shakes or other roofing materials, it can cause the roof structure to rot. Extra moisture encourages mildew and rot elsewhere in a house, including walls, ceilings, insulation and electrical systems.
Wind: High winds can lift shingles' edges (or other roofing materials) and force water and debris underneath them. Extremely high winds can cause extensive damage.
Snow and Ice: Melting snow often refreezes at a roof's overhang where the surface is cooler, forming an ice dam. This blocks proper drainage into the gutter, causing water to back up under the shingles and seep into the interior of the roofing system.
Condensation: Moisture in a poorly ventilated attic promotes decay of wood sheathing and rafters, possibly destroying a roof structure. Sufficient attic ventilation can help alleviate these problems.
Moss and Algae: Moss and algae can grow on moist wood shingles and shakes. Once moss and algae grow, they hold even more moisture to a roof system's surface, causing rot. In addition, moss roots also can work their way into a wood deck and structure. Trees and bushes should be trimmed away from homes and buildings to eliminate damp, shaded areas, and gutters should be kept clean to ensure good drainage.
Trees and Leaves: Tree branches touching a roof will scratch and gouge roofing materials when the branches are blown by the wind. Falling branches from overhanging trees can damage, or even puncture, shingles and other roofing materials. Leaves on a roof system's surface retain moisture and cause rot, and leaves in the gutters block drainage.