A Worn Looking Roof Doesn’t Mean Time For Replacing It

You were out mowing or raking leaves, looked up at your roof and noticed it was looking tired and worn out.  Then the dread of getting a new roof washed over you.  Well, good news! Simply because it is looking somewhat unsightly, doesn’t mean you need to replace it - maybe.

It may need only a thorough cleaning! From time to time, you power wash your home and the surrounding deck and walkways to get a fresh look. Well, the same could be possible for your roof, too. Too often, homeowners replace the roof on their home without even thinking about just cleaning it.

A good cleaning doesn’t just give your home a good look, but it will save you thousands while adding years to your roof. It is an option to consider before you get that new roof. A new roof may be necessary if you have missing shingles or your roof is 25 years old or older. Or, if you see flipped up tabs or brittle shingles, a roof replacement may be necessary.

By having your roof washed, you can achieve the following:

1. A polished look

Having your roof thoroughly cleaned will remove those black stains that are also known as magma. It also removes that algae and moss that builds up over time. A professional roof cleaner will use a biodegradable chemical that will clean your roof and have a minimal residual effect.

2. Protection for Your Roof

Your roof protects you and your family, but what protects it? Having a professional out to reapply the biodegradable chemical cleaner once a year is a great protector for your roof. It will prevent small problems from becoming large problems which will extend the life of your roof.

3. Cheaper to Keep Her

As they say in divorce court – it’s cheaper to keep her. Same can be said about cleaning your roof. It is cheaper to clean it than to replace it.

4. Warranty Effectiveness

A regular cleaning is usually recommended by roofing material manufacturers. Think of it in the same manner how you get a tune-up on your car every 100,000 miles.

Your Hair can Curl, but Your Roof Shouldn’t!

A roof with curling shingles is a sign that something isn’t right. When the shingles curl up and are left that way, it is a prime opportunity for rain, snow, and wind to get under them and seep down to the decking, then on into the attic. As soon as you notice any curling shingles, call a roofing contractor immediately and have your roof inspected.

What Causes Curling Shingles?

Most of the time, it is old age. There isn’t anything that will last forever, except maybe love and taxes. But when it comes to roofing, the shingles start to get dried out and the nails used to hold them get loose and start coming out. If only one, two or three shingles are curling and damaged, a simple repair job may be sufficient.

For a fairly new roof that has curling shingles, it may be from improper installation. You should contact the contractor that installed the roof and request an inspection and repair. Sadly, if you used an unknown contractor, you could be out of luck and will need to find a different contractor. This is why it is important to use a certified, licensed, reliable contractor and check their references.

Poor ventilation is another common problem found with curling shingles. Before you have a new roof installed, have the contractor check your attic to make sure it has adequate ventilation. When there aren’t enough of the right vents in the attic, it can cause hot air to build up which will rise to the top.

During the cold weather, warm air in your attic (because it can’t vent out) will cause the ice and snow to melt on the roof. That water will then run down until it hits ice or snow that is still formed, creating a dam. It then sits there and begins to seep under the shingles, and the adhesive is loosened.