Asphalt shingle roofs can last anywhere from 15 to 30 years, but this lifespan is entirely dependent on how well you care for your roof. If you’re not taking good care of it, you could be looking at only 15 years or less. If you want to make sure that your asphalt shingle roof lasts for as long as possible, here are some top roof maintenance tips to follow.
Keep Your Roof Clean and Clear, Focusing on Debris Buildup Prevention
A roof that has debris buildup isn’t just an eyesore. Debris on your roof can trap moisture against your asphalt shingles. Over time, this moisture starts to eat away at the shingles and make its way to the underlayment and surrounding structural elements. It can also pave the way for algae and moss growth, which can do even more damage to your asphalt shingles over time.
Have a roofer clear your roof if you’re starting to notice signs of algae or moss growth, or if there’s too much up there that needs to be moved. You can also trim nearby trees to prevent buildup from becoming a major problem in the first place.
Watch Out for Granule Loss and Other Signs of Trouble
A keen eye can save your roof. While you should never get up on the roof, there are signs that your roof needs to be repaired and maintained sooner rather than later. One great indication that there could be problems is granule loss.
Granules can come off of your asphalt shingles and migrate to the ground surrounding your house. More obvious signs that you need someone to come by and look at your roof are missing shingles, curling shingles, and broken shingles.
Have Your Local Roofer Come by Once a Year
Prevention is key to maintenance. It’s always a good rule of thumb to have your roof inspected once a year. This will give your roofer a chance to see if any problems have developed or if there’s something that needs to be done to further protect your roof against common threats.
Don’t feel like you just have to call your roofer once a year, though. If you suspect something is going on with your roof or if there’s been a major storm, you can always have them come out again.
Leave the Work to the Professionals
Proper roof maintenance can only be conducted by professionals. Aside from the risk of injury, you could cause damage to your roof by pressure washing it and removing shingles, accidentally breaking shingles while you’re on it, or attempting repairs you don’t have the ability to take care of. Letting the experts handle roof maintenance is a roof maintenance tip that will save you a ton of hassle and money.
Roof maintenance can mean the difference between needing roof replacement and an asphalt shingle roof that lasts decades. If you live in St. Santa Barbara, CA or a surrounding area and need asphalt shingle roofing services, make your first call to Action Roofing.
