Lifted Roof Shingle Maintenance Tips
Shingle roofs are not designed to last forever, especially in an area prone to bad thunderstorms or strong winds. That’s why regular maintenance is essential.
Look for signs of shingle wear, including lifted corners. Often, this is caused by poor nail placement. To fix a corner that is lifting, apply roofing sealant and weight it down with a brick for 24 hours.
1. Clean the Shingles
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. It shields you and your loved ones from the elements and provides security and comfort. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most neglected parts of your house.
Lifted shingles are a common problem that can result from poor maintenance or a bad storm. They look like normal shingles, but they have an upturned edge that creates space beneath them. If the problem is not fixed, water will seep under the shingle and into your home. This can cause water damage to the interior walls, furniture, and floors. It can also lead to mold and rot and can pose health concerns for anyone who lives in the home.
The most common causes of lifted shingles are strong winds and other weather conditions. Strong gusts, severe thunderstorms, ice and snow, and heavy rainfall can all contribute to lifting shingles and creating gaps between them and the roof. The best way to prevent this is to regularly perform a visual inspection of your roof. This will help you spot problems, such as lifted shingles, before they become worse and cause further damage to your home.
Another cause of shingle damage is the growth of algae and moss. Both of these can shorten the lifespan of your shingles by trapping moisture that can damage the asphalt in them. They can also make your roof look unsightly and lower the curb appeal of your home. Regularly cleaning your roof with a brush or a broom can help to keep these growths from occurring.
To remove algae and moss from your roof, you can use a brush or a broom to gently scrape the surface. You can also apply a fungicide to the affected areas of your roof. It is important to be safe when doing this, as you do not want to accidentally dislodge or damage any shingles. If you are unsure of how to do this, you should consider hiring Roofers Wilmington De. They will have the proper tools and safety equipment to safely access your roof.
2. Check the Gutters
Keeping your gutters clean is essential to your roof's health. Clogged gutters can allow water to back up onto the roof and cause damage. This water can seep under the shingles and leak into your attic and home, damaging wood framing, insulation, ceilings, walls, and carpet. It can also lead to mold, rot, and further roof system problems.
If your shingle edges are lifting up, it's possible that your gutters are clogged. A clogged gutter allows wild animals and critters to nest inside the gutter, which will then become their home. If this is happening, it's best to contact a professional who will inspect the gutters and clean them.
Overhanging branches are another problem for shingle roofs. If they aren't trimmed, they can fall and rip shingles or break the gutters. Additionally, they can collect leaves and rot, which will suck up moisture that will damage the shingles.
Inspect your gutters from the ground and look for sections that are knocked out of place, or that have loose corners and hangers. If you find any of these issues, have them fixed right away. Also, check the slope of your gutters and that they are draining properly.
If you have a metal gutter, you should also look for broken seams and areas of corrosion. If you find any of these issues, call a roofer to have them repaired immediately.
Your roof vents should also be checked for proper ventilation. A properly ventilated roof will allow hot air to escape, preventing the build-up of heat and condensation that can damage shingles. Check the ducts, including fan vents, plumbing stacks, oven pipes, and furnace ducts, to make sure they are securely connected.
You should also check that your attic is properly ventilated to keep humidity from damaging shingles and other components of the roof. Proper attic ventilation will help to prevent mold, mildew, rot, and water damage from occurring in the ceiling. If you notice a musty smell or water stains in your attic, it's time to call a professional for inspection. The sooner the leaking is fixed, the less damage it will do to your home and possessions.
3. Check the Valleys
Roof valleys are the areas where two different roof slopes meet. It is important to pay close attention to these areas during shingle roof maintenance because the majority of water that flows off a roof will travel down these valleys. This means that these areas can be prone to leaks and other problems, especially when they are not properly cared for.
There are a few different ways to construct roof valleys, but the most common way is to weave them with shingles. However, this method of construction is not recommended because it can lead to leakage. Instead, roofers should use metal valley linings to protect the area from moisture intrusion. On older homes, or in low-end installations, valley linings may be made of roll roofing or similar materials, rather than metal. This type of valley liner will not last as long as a metal one and will likely need to be replaced within five years.
A better way to build a roof valley is to use closed-cut shingles. This method allows for a quicker installation and also gives the valley a cleaner look. However, it will not shed snow or ice as quickly as the metal used in open-metal valleys. Furthermore, the shingles in the valley can lose their granules and degrade faster than the rest of the roof, which can lead to damage and leaks.
Another common problem with roof valleys is clogging. Leaves and other debris tend to collect in the valleys, which can interrupt the flow of water from the roof and encourage algae and mold growth. To prevent this, homeowners should regularly remove debris from the roof valleys when cleaning out the gutters.
Lastly, dead valleys should be fixed promptly. If left unfixed, these areas will experience significant damage and will require a full roof repair. In addition, the felt paper and shingles in a dead valley will wear out from exposure to the sun. Typically, this will result in a leak within three to five years. Fortunately, this is a simple fix and can be done without the help of a professional roofer.
4. Check the Flashing
The joy of homeownership comes with many responsibilities, including the need to keep up with regular shingle roof maintenance. Having the freedom to choose where to live, how to design the space, and to decorate with your personal taste are all part of the fun, but if you neglect a few tasks, problems can arise that can cause major headaches down the line. These issues include water leaks, mold growth, and more.
Often, water leaks aren’t caused by lifting shingles but by damage to the flashing and roofing along the walls of the house. Water can seep into the underlying materials, which leads to wood rot, mold, mildew, and a host of other issues that could be costly and difficult to fix.
A good way to check the flashing is to climb up into the attic on a sunny day and look for any light coming from holes in the roof. If you notice sunlight shining in, it’s a sign that the flashing and roof are leaking in that area. If this is the case, you’ll want to fix the problem immediately, as it can lead to a variety of issues, including rot, mold, mildew, weakened structure, and even water stains on the attic ceiling.
Also, make sure to check the flashing around any vents on the roof. You may need to remove the shingles around the vent, pry out any nails, and replace the flashing. The flashing should cover the flange of the vent and be nailed in place with a generous amount of roof cement.
If you see any cracking or discoloration on the flashing, it’s time to get a new one. You can find these at most home improvement stores. Choose metal-based ones, as they’ll last much longer than plastic-based ones.
Keeping up with shingle roof maintenance is essential to maintaining the value and beauty of your home. When you’re done, your home will look better, and you’ll be less likely to need a full roof replacement in the future. Remember to always use a ladder to access the roof and have a spotter on the ground to help ensure you’re safe when climbing up there.
Shingle roofs are not designed to last forever, especially in an area prone to bad thunderstorms or strong winds. That’s why regular maintenance is essential. Look for signs of shingle wear, including lifted corners. Often, this is caused by poor nail placement. To fix a corner that is lifting, apply roofing sealant and weight it…