Check your roof at least once a year before rainy season. Repair leaky roofs before ceilings and walls are damaged. Shingles not only serve as the first layer of defense against the elements they also define the character of your home.
Roof Damage Signs to look for Outside Your Home
- Look for shingles that are missing, curling, cupping, broken or cracked. Check valleys for damaged or deteriorated materials.
- Look in gutters and downspouts for excessive granular loss. Manufacturers cover asphalt composition shingles with granules to block ultraviolet rays from the sun, but natural aging will cause granules to erode and expose the asphalt. Granular loss begins during installation and occurs daily. This is an expected condition, but excessive loss may indicate a problem.
- Blisters, or small bubble-like raised areas on shingles, may appear when moisture trapped between the shingle layers is heated and rises to the surface. These blisters can break open, causing grit to fall away. Blisters are often a result of poor ventilation in the attic, causing heat to build up beneath the roof.
- The dark stains and streaks that sometimes develop on roofs (especially roofs with light-colored shingles) are caused by blue-green algae. This is more likely to happen in hot, humid areas. Algae can damage shingles over time and should be removed by a professional roof cleaner.
- Available in many colors
- Most affordable roof type
- Easily installed and repaired
- Durable and low maintenance
Can blow off in heavy winds
Colors may fade
Should be replaced very 20+ years
Can transfer heat into home
If you are looking for a solution that is easy on the wallet and doesn't require much maintenance, shingles are the choice for you. Shingles tend to be one of the cheapest roofing options. They are mass produced and if a portion of your roof is damaged, they are relatively easy to replace.
