If you have an asphalt shingle roof and it's starting to get old, you may have a lot of questions. While you can replace it with many other materials, there are many benefits to asphalt shingles, making them a popular choice. If you would like to know more, keep reading.
What Are the Benefits of an Asphalt Shingle Roof?
The leading benefit of asphalt shingle roofs is the cost. They are one of the cheapest roofing options available, but they still last a long time. They don't last as long as more expensive roofing materials but depending on how long you stay in the house, you may never need to replace them again.
On top of that, asphalt shingles are lightweight. This means you don't need to worry about additional supports, which is common for heavy roofs like slate tile. They also work in multiple different climates. In hot climates, you can choose light-colored shingles to reflect sunlight. They also do well in rainy and snowy climates.
However, they are prone to moss growth, so you'll want to remove any moss that starts to grow. You'll also need to keep the roof clean of debris to prevent damage. Other maintenance includes:
- Monitoring, repairing, and replacing flashing
- Replacing missing shingles
- Keeping gutters cleaned and maintained
What Are Signs the Roof Needs Repairs or a Replacement?
You'll want to monitor the condition of your shingles. A healthy asphalt shingle has lots of granules, is tight against the roof, and has no cracks/chips. Signs your roof needs repair or replacement include:
- Visible holes
- Leaks inside the house
- Stains on interior ceilings
- Missing/damaged shingles
- Granules in the gutters
If the roof is still young, a good repair can go a long way. However, if the roof is old or has been severely damaged, it may be best to consider roof replacement.
What Is the Difference Between an Overlay and a Total Replacement?
If you do need to replace the roof, you may be considering an overlay. An overlay is a cheaper and faster process. Instead of tearing off the old roofing shingles, new ones are installed directly on top of the old ones. This may be a good idea if you have no signs of leaks, but the shingles are worn.
An overlay does not address any underlying issues, such as holes and rotten spots on the decking. Therefore, it may be best to choose a total replacement. This allows the roofer to address any other issues that contribute to roofing issues.
Even with good maintenance, a roof doesn't last forever. If your roof is showing signs of distress, it may be time for a repair, replacement, or overlay. If you would like to know more, contact a residential roofing service, such as Hurricane Roofer, in your area today.
One day when we were all sitting in our living room, I thought I felt a drop of water fall onto my arm. At first, I figured it was my imagination, but when the second one fell, I knew we had an issue. Although it wasn't raining that day, it had rained the day before, so I started looking for the source of the problem. After looking in my attic, I could tell what the problem was, and I knew I had to fix it. I started looking for ways to stop the water immediately, but it just wasn't working for me. Fortunately, roofers came out, fixed the problem, and showed me what I needed to do to clean up the mess. Read more on this blog.