What are Roof Shingles?
A shingle roof is one of the most important aspects of a home exterior to maintain. Roof shingles consist of individual overlapping components, that when laid together in rows starting at the bottom edge of a roof, form a barrier designed to repel water, snow, and ice. Shingle roofing elements are typically flat, rectangular shapes laid in courses from the bottom edge of the roof up, with each successive course overlapping the joints below.
Your roof is critical in protecting your home or property from the many different elements; rain, snow, wind, heat, cold, and even the sun. If any component of your roofing system becomes damaged you could find yourself with more than just a leaking roof. If not properly repaired, you may find yourself with unexpected damages; insulation, mold, water stains, sheetrock, ceiling, or damage to any other interior component inside your property.
It is good practice to visually inspect your roof periodically for wear, leaks, and missing or damaged shingles or flashings. By regularly inspecting your property to see if moisture is getting in can allow you to catch leakage before major damage occurs. If your roof is approaching or is beyond the warranty period, you may want to have a specialist perform a complete roof inspection. At Big Joe’s Roofing, we offer a complete roof inspections and if needed we will provide a roof estimate for Free.
What can Damage a Shingle Roof?
The most obvious reason a roof might become damaged is the age of your roof. When was the roof installed or when was the last roofing repair? Shingle roofs and flashing do not last forever, unfortunately they do have a shelf life. Warranties are generally good for 20 to 30 years, depending on the products being used. The amount of exposure the roof gets from outside elements; rain, snow, wind, sun and sleet can influence its shelf life.
Rain, Snow, Sleet, Wind, & Ice can damage a roof, roofing system, or property structure, causing mildew, rot, leakage, or even damage to the insulation. Water leads to many unforeseen issues when it comes to roofs and property maintenance.
Sun is not often talked about when it comes to roofs, but sun UV rains and heat causes shingles to break down over a period of time. Ultraviolet rays are invisible and dangerous. The constant exposure to UV rays breaks down the molecular structure of your roof and when coupled with heat and temperature changes this can damage roofing shingles over a considerable period of time.
Wind can pull shingles away from the roof exposing its underpayment which can leave your property vulnerable to water damage. The roof of any property is the first line of defense to protect its interior from the elements. When high winds beat against your shingles this can cause shingles to become loose, damage, or be removed. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), most wind damage caused to a roof starts at the edge. This type of damage may start small, go unnoticed for a period of time but the problem will continue to grow over time as wind continues threaten the compromised areas.
Calling a roofer to perform a Free Roof inspection is a good approach to preventing unexpected problems. If it’s been a while since the last time you had a roofing specialist perform a complete roof evaluation, calling a local roofing specialist can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
Can a Shingle Roof Be Repaired?
Yes, it is possible to repair a shingle roof if the majority of the roof system is still intact. When shingle tabs are lifted or broken off, they can be replaced. This is accomplished by lifting the shingle above the broken or missing tab. Once the area is exposed, the nails of the missing tab are removed by using a pry bar or split hammer. Tabs can be cut to size with shears to properly shape and fit the tabs. The new shingle or tab is then slid up into place and secured with properly spaced roofing nails. In most cases, your roofing contractor will provide you with some extra shingles in case you ever have to make repairs. Be sure to properly store these extra shingles, so they are accessible for future needs. If you don’t have any stored shingles, your roofer should be able to suggest a close match. Cracked shingles can be temporarily repaired by applying a roofing sealant both under and on top of the crack. It is also possible to replace flashings at eaves and roof penetrations, such as chimneys, if minor leaks are suspected in these areas.
Wiki Site Defined Eaves: The eaves are the edges of the roof which overhang the face of a wall and, normally, project beyond the side of a building. The eaves form an overhang to throw water clear of the wall and may be highly decorated as part of an architectural style. The primary function of the eaves is to keep rain water off the walls and to prevent the ingress of water at the junction where the roof meets the wall.
What Would Warrant a Complete Roof Replacement?
If you have significant leaks, or your roof is very old and has exceeded its warranty, you should consider a complete roof replacement. You want to do this before experiencing a total roof failure. Identifying a roofing problem before the problem becomes a major home construction project can save you thousands of dollars. Roof failure can result in very extensive and expensive repairs to home interiors. If your roof is leaking, schedule an inspection with a knowledgeable contractor as soon as possible to have the situation assessed. The majority local Philadelphia roofers will perform a free roof evaluation and provide you with a comprehensive evaluation to help you understand the condition of your roof