While asphalt shingles are, for the most, part, a low-maintenance roofing material, they aren’t entirely void of maintenance. If you want your Bay View, Wisconsin shingle roof to last as long as possible, you might want to carry out a few maintenance measures.
Wondering what exactly asphalt shingle maintenance entails? Then read on! This article has all of that information and more.
Dangers to Asphalt Shingles
There are a few different things that can cause damage to asphalt shingles. Those entities are as follows:
Sunlight
If you live in an area where the sun shines brightly almost every day, your asphalt shingles are going to suffer. UV rays will slowly dry out the surfaces of your shingles, causing their structural integrity to become compromised over time.
After enough exposure to sunlight, your shingles will start to warp and crack. Unfortunately, other than shading your roof with trees, there’s not a lot you can do to protect your shingles from sunlight.
Algae
Asphalt shingles are fairly susceptible to algae and moss. Algae and moss grow best in hot and humid temperatures, and primarily show up in the summertime.
In most cases, moss and algae will only compromise the aesthetic quality of your roof. However, over time, they can destroy the performance of your shingles as well.
Fortunately, you can clean algae and moss from your shingles fairly easily. The key is to use an 50/50 mixture of bleach and water.
Moisture
Nothing wreaks havoc on asphalt shingles quite like moisture. Over time, rain and melted snow compromise the structural integrity of your shingles, causing them to curl at the edges or crack.
To relieve some of the effects of moisture, it helps to ventilate your attic.
Wind
5 mile per hour winds probably aren’t going to hurt your shingles. 40 mile per hour winds, however, can rip your shingles directly off the top of your home.
In most cases, there’s not much you can do to proactively protect your home against strong winds. However, you might be able to block some wind from your home by planting trees around your property.
Asphalt Shingle Maintenance
There are three primary components of asphalt shingle maintenance: inspection, cleaning, and repair.
Inspection
Every year or so, it’s wise to get up on your roof so that you can take a close look at your shingles. You’ll want to keep an eye out for curls, cracks, loose nails, and any other imperfections. If you catch these problems early enough, you’ll be able to make necessary repairs.
Cleaning
The fact of the matter is that your shingles are eventually going to get dirty. Whether they become inundated with dirt, moss, algae, or otherwise, they will have to be cleaned. In general, it’s wise to wash your roof with a pressure washer on a yearly basis.
Repair
When inspecting and assessing your shingles, there’s a chance that you’ll come across flaws. Perhaps a few shingles will be missing? Maybe some shingles will be cracked? Maybe some nails will be loose?
In any case, if your shingles are damaged, you should have them repaired. Carrying out small repairs will prolong the life of your shingles, and will save you money in the long run.
In Need of Roofing Maintenance, Repair or Installation in Bay View, Wisconsin?
While it’s important to inspect your roof for damages every so often, it is a very dangerous task to carry out by yourself. Are you in need of professional roofing maintenance, repair or installation in Bay View, Wisconsin? If so, JM Remodeling is the company to call.
Our team of seasoned roofers is beyond experienced in the maintenance and repair of asphalt shingles. We’ll have your roof looking like new in no time.
Contact us today to get started!