Roofing Work - ATC

Deciding on whether to fix or replace your roof can be a difficult decision. You should always consult a profession to inspect your roof, especially if you have experienced severe weather or the roof is very old. Both reisdential and commercial roofs have a limited lifespan which may be extended with regular, quality maintence and repairs. However, the time will come when replacing your roof is more cost-effective than repairing it one more time.

WHY DO WE USE ASPHALT SHINGLES?

There’s a good reason why asphalt shingle is the most widely used roofing material on the market — and it’s not going out of style anytime soon.

Strong enough to last over two decades, asphalt shingle is crafted from resilient fibreglass, covered in tough mineral granules, and engineered to be both lightweight and functional. In addition to its traditionally clean look and practicality, perhaps what makes asphalt shingle most popular is how incredibly affordable it is, even for the tightest of homeowner budgets.

Capable of taking any home exterior to the next level, three-dimensional roofing shingles are refreshingly modern and rich in detail. But it isn’t just their aesthetic appeal that drives so many homeowners to upgrade. Dimensional shingles are dual-layered, which means longer-lasting, better protection, and an enhanced warranty.

One of the best preventative measures you can take to protect your home from harsh weather is to install ice and water shields in the valleys of your roof and around the perimieter. This adhesive, rubbery coating is made from tough asphalt and applied directly underneath the shingles to prevent precipitation from reaching the roof deck and causing damage.

REASONS FOR A ROOF REPLACEMENT

You may be wondering if your roof can last through another repair or if you need to replace it. How can you tell if a repair is enough or if a replacement is necessary for your roof?

25 YEARS OLD AND OVER

Depending upon the quality of materials used, some roofs can last up to 50 years. However, most roofs are laid with typical asphalt shingles which are ready to retire after 20. If you purchased your home from a previous owner, it’s likely that reshingling and other repairs have already been made on top of the original roofing.

A simple review of your home’s improvement records should be able to tell youthe history of your roof. If not, an experienced professional can help to estimate how long your roof will stay in good condition.

MISSING SHINGLES

If your roof is younger than 20 years old, it’s perfectly practical to replace a missing shingle or two every now and then. But before you attempt such a seemingly easy DIY roofing project, you should first have your roof examined by an experienced professional. Visible damages, such as missing shingles, are often just symptoms of a far more serious problem that may be difficult for an amateur roofer to detect.

Your roof is constantly exposed to rain, snow, and sunlight, and it doesn’t take long for these natural elements to fade and alter the original color of your roof. Although sometimes all a homeowner needs to do is patch things up and replace a few shingles, after a while it becomes nearly impossible to find new shingles to match the old.

GREEN ROOF

Who doesn’t love a little picturesque moss growing up the shady side of a home? But if that moss is growing on the roof, resist all urges to be charmed.

While you might be able to temporarily clear away the moss with some bleach and a stiff brush, this won’t solve the larger, underlying issue at hand. Moisture has been trapped beneath the surface of your shingles for quite some time, and it will only take a few humid days or one heavy rain for moss to reappear.

CURLED OR CRACKED SHINGLES

Your shingles should lie flat and tight against the roof of your home. But if you can see gaps between them, the edges are curling upwards, or if the shingle edges are flat but the shingles seem to be bubbling in the middle, these are signs that the adhesive is eroding — which can lead to further damages and leaks that cannot be ignored.

Wind damage is the primary cause of cracking shingles, and after a decade or two of continuous exposure to even moderate winds, shingles will eventually crack under pressure.

ATTIC CONDITIONS

Perhaps your roof looks just fine from the outside, but what’s going on underneath? With a simple household flashlight, examine your attic ceiling and walls for wood rot, water stains, and water streaks as these are signs of leakage.

You should also check for cracks in the ceiling, which is easiest to do during the daytime because small streams of light will shine through when you look up. And of course, if your attic has been infiltrated by bats, birds, possums, racoons, or other signs of wildlife, then your roof is past its prime.

GUTTER LITTER

Asphalt granules play an important role in protecting your roof from continuous sunlight and other damaging elements, but once a roof is nearing retirement, those granules crumble and flake away.

A brand new roof will shed quite a bit of its granules within its first year or so — most of which are extra and already loose. But if your gutters are littered with granules and you know your roof is more than 10 years old, it’s time to start planning to replace it.