How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Asphalt Shingle Roof?
Roofs act as your home’s shield against the elements and asphalt shingle roofs are the most commonly used roofing materials on the market. Like any other structure in your home, roofs need regular care and maintenance. Maintaining your roof is not just about preventing issues but also about saving you money over the long term. It can help prevent the need for early roof replacement, helping you save big.
Here are 4 helpful tips for you to increase your asphalt shingle roof’s lifespan so that you will not have to worry about any roofing problems or the need to replace the roof.
1. Clean the Gutters Regularly
Gutters are the only features that move water off your roof and away from the building. If they get clogged during snowstorms or rain, the water can damage your roof and home. Make sure your gutters are cleaned twice a year, with spring and fall being the ideal times.
The gutters will also need cleaning anytime you have the following situations:
- The gutters are overflowing during rainstorms
- There are detached or sagging sections of gutters or downspouts
- There are leaves, bird nests, or sticks in the gutters
2. Ensure the Attic is Properly Ventilated
Ensuring adequate attic ventilation has a significantly positive impact on your asphalt shingle roof’s lifespan. The right roofer ensures during initial installation that your home has enough vents. A lack of proper ventilation can cause hot and cold air to get trapped. This affects your roof’s service life. For example, trapped condensation in winter can affect the roof decking and cause mold and mildew. In the summer, hot air can cause the decking adhesives to degrade and the shingles to curl or crack.
It is recommended to take the following steps to fix the attic ventilation issues:
- Check the roof vents close to the peak and soffit vents close to the eaves
- Immediately replace any missing or broken vents
- Ensure that the vents are not obstructed by storage or insulation
- Install an attic fan to improve the airflow
3. Trim Nearby Trees
It is great to have trees around your home, as they enhance your home’s elegance and provide shade. However, overhanging branches can fall and cause damage to the shingles. These branches can also scrape the shingles. Leaves and twigs can clog the gutters. It is recommended to follow these steps to reduce the effects of trees on your shingle roof’s lifespan:
- Trim back all branches to 6 feet off the roof
- Trim the new regrowth in the spring and fall
- Hire the services of an arborist to trim larger trees
The presence of branches over your roof exposes the asphalt shingles to bird droppings. Regular contact with bird droppings can cause the asphalt shingles to deteriorate due to the material’s acidic properties.
4. Prevent Ice Dams from Forming
If you experience extreme winter storms, chances are that ice dams can form on your roof. Ice dams can push water back up under the shingles. When it happens repetitively, leaks can occur and the roof can develop structural damage.
Follow these steps to prevent ice dam formation:
- Remove snow using a roof rake after every heavy storm
- Install heated cables along areas that regularly develop ice dams
- Improve the ventilation or insulation in the attics and crawl spaces
Additionally, it is recommended to schedule an annual roof inspection, regularly clear debris, remove moss, and fix missing or damaged shingles. Asphalt shingle roofs should not be pressure-washed. Pressure washing can blow off the protective granules on the shingles. So, make sure to follow the above-mentioned steps to add more years to your asphalt shingle roof’s life.