Tags:About, Asphalt, Maintenance, Roof, Shingle.
Roof maintenance is something many people forget to do, but can be an important part of the upkeep of a home. There are several steps that you should go through before and during the maintenance of a roof, but these differ depending on the material it’s made of. In this article, we’ll go over how to clean and maintain an asphalt shingle roof.
The first thing you’ll want to do in any roof maintenance job is clean debris from the roof. This can be anything that has built up behind HVAC units, pitch pans or pipes, and other penetrations of the roof. Since this debris tends to soak up water, and water is one of the leading causes of deterioration of the roof (especially in roofs that are primarily asphalt), you’ll want to do this two or maybe three times a year.
If the roof is collecting moss and algae, zinc control or lead control strips should be installed. All the flashings should be checked for holes, and algae and moss should be removed. If there are any shingle tabs that are loose, a little roofing cement can be dabbed under either side to secure them. Damaged or broken shingles should be removed and replaced.
Keeping gutters debris free is an important part of roof maintenance, and is necessary for proper water flow control, and pour water down the downspouts to ensure that they are functioning correctly. If there are tree branches overhanging, they should be trimmed to prevent debris from falling on the roof.
Open valley metal should be checked for rust, and if there is rust then it should be wire brushed away, and then the metal should be primed and painted. Caulking and sealants should be checked, and if any is cracked or damaged it should be scraped away and re-applied. If you have a brick and mortar chimney, check the mortar on the sides and on top, and if it is damaged it can be repaired by a mason.
Roof maintenance is often a simple matter of knowing how the weather affects your home. If you have asphalt shingles that can be damaged over time, a periodic checkup and some mild repair work is likely all that is necessary.
Keeping up with your roof can help you find problems before they work their way into your home and cause you even more stress (not to mention money) than if you took care of them outside . . .
Find out more by reading the full article which explains what you need to know about roof maintenance.
Tags:Asphalt, Repair, Roofing, Shingle.
Asphalt Shingle Roofing and Folsom Roof Repair
Nearly four-fifths of American homes have asphalt shingle roofs–and for good reason. Asphalt shingles are economical and fairly easy to install and repair. The two basic types are composition and fiberglass-base shingles.
Composition shingles are made of organic felt manufactured from wood and paper fibers. Fiberglass-base shingles are made of manmade fiberglass mat. Both kinds are soaked in asphalt, but the fiberglass base shingles are more fire-resistant than the organic ones. Asphalt shingles have mineral granules embedded in them; when you find these granules washing away, it’s a sign that you need to repair or replace your shingles
Although asphalt shingles may look like individual tabs, they are generally manufactured in 3-foot-long strips that are notched to look like smaller units. They come in a variety of weights. Generally speaking, the heavier the shingles, the longer they last.
Make roof repairs on a warm day, when shingles are more flexible (and therefore less likely to crack) and roofing cement spreads more easily.
Common Asphalt-Shingle Roofing Problems
Roofing problems make themselves known in the form of leaks and drips. Repair leaky roofs before ceilings and walls are damaged; better yet, check your roof at least once a year before the storm season (and after a major storm, if necessary).
Make your repairs when the weather is clear.
High winds can tear off shingles, particularly if they’ve become brittle with age. Ice and snow can cause shingles to crack, as can hot sun and heavy rain.
Check your roof regularly for bald spots, cracked or curled shingles, or an absence of mineral granules, usually exhibited by an accumulation in your gutters.
Bend any questionable shingles back to see if they have some give. If they crumble easily or appear gray and bloated, they may need replacing.
Replace existing shingles with any that remain from the original roof installation or buy new ones of the same type, color, and size if possible. Don’t remove damaged shingles from ridges–instead, nail each corner of the existing shingle in place and cover with a new one.
Shingle Maintenance
Roofing cement can work wonders on an asphalt-shingle roof. If shingles are cracked or beginning to tear, seal the cracked or torn areas with roofing cement.
Also use roofing cement to press torn or curled shingles into place and to cover exposed nail heads.
Asphalt Roof Shingle Repair
Lift the tab above the shingle that has been damaged and pry out the nails that hold the one you want to replace.
Snip off the top corners of the replacement and slide it up under the existing shingles, being careful not to tear the roofing felt.
Nail on the new shingle, placing the nails under the shingle above. After driving in the nails, daub the nail heads with roofing cement.
While you are on the roof, check the roof flashing for corrosion or pinholes and repair with roofing cement (you may need to lift up a flap of shingles to get access to the flashing).
1) On a warm day, lift shingles to expose nails of damaged one. Pry out nails.
2) Slip replacement in place under up-roof shingles.
3) Nail by hammering against a pry bar placed on nail heads.
2) Beneath the asphalt shingles on a roof’s surface, you’ll find roofing felt, sheathing, and the roof’s structure