If you have lived in San Antonio for a long time, you already know that your roof can take a beating. There are thunderstorms that can pop up out of nowhere and dump torrential rain and hail on your asphalt shingles. The area also has periods of extreme heat and dry conditions. Don’t forget about the occasional hurricane or even snow and ice! You have to be ready for any weather event when you live in the San Antonio area. Here is a guide to making sure your roof is at its very best no matter what the weather looks like outdoors.
What Is an Asphalt Roof?
Asphalt roofs are the most popular roof type; nearly 80% of all household roofs are made of asphalt. Asphalt is a mixture of oil and sand or gravel. Shingles that cover your roof are usually made of asphalt because it is durable, inexpensive, and can be mixed in many different colors. However, even asphalt shingles, which can last up to 30 years, can become damaged due to weather, age, or poor roofing techniques. If you want your roof to last as long as possible, you will need to practice some roof upkeep.
If you don’t practice roof maintenance on your asphalt roof, it could lead to leaks and water damage–not just on your roof but on the inside of your house as well.
How Do I Keep My Roof Looking Good?
- Keep your roof clean. If you have large branches from trees that could land on your roof, be sure and have them trimmed so they don’t break off during a storm and fall on your asphalt roof, which could damage the shingles or even tear a hole in your roof. Also, make sure to keep your gutters clean to guard against leaks on your roof from debris.
- Check your gutters for leaks. When gutters leak, the constant dripping from gutters can allow mold or other fungi to grow on your roof. Water can also eventually leak through wood or roofing shingles. If you find that one of your gutters leaks, have the gutter repaired or replaced.
- Have your roof inspected at least once a year. Many people either inspect their roofs themselves or they have their roofs inspected by a roofing company. Homeowners who have their roofs inspected each year are less likely to be surprised by an unexpected roof repair or replacement.
What Should I Be Looking For in a Roof Inspection?
When you inspect your roof, you should be looking for several small problems that could become big problems down the road. First, check your shingles thoroughly. If you are inspecting your roof yourself, be sure and take a notepad up with you so you can jot down any problems you see.
Once you have made it up to the top of your roof, check your shingles for any problems. Look to see if any of your shingles are blistered. Blistered shingles can mean that water is trapped in your shingle. When these moist shingles get hot from the sun, they blister. Also, look for signs of curling or cracking on your shingles. Curling or cracking shingles usually mean the boards underneath the shingles are wet, which could mean you have a leak in your roof. You may also have a problem with your attic insulation.
Check and make sure that you can’t see the nails on your shingles, and make sure you don’t have any shingles that are loose or missing. If you see loose or missing shingles, you will want to replace them.
Also, look closely at your shingles. Each asphalt roof shingle is bumpy, because there are granules on each shingle. The granules give your roof extra protection from the weather. If your shingles look smooth, and you notice your shingles are missing a lot of granules, you may need to have the shingles replaced.
Should I Just Check the Shingles to Make Sure My Roof Is in Good Shape?
Your roof is actually made of several parts, and all of them are important for your roof to keep working well. First, you’ll want to make sure the flashing doesn’t have rust or corrosion. Roof flashing is made of many thin pieces of metal that help to protect the edges of your roof, as well as anything that may stick out from your roof, such as your chimney or vents. When flashing corrodes or rusts, water can get into your attic. While you’re looking at the flashing, check to make sure each flashing’s caulk is still watertight with no cracks.
Also, look closely at your shingles. Each asphalt roof shingle is bumpy, because there are granules on each shingle. The granules give your roof extra protection from the weather. If your shingles look smooth, and you notice your shingles are missing a lot of granules, you may need to have the shingles replaced.
You should devote some time to check the soffit and fascia of your roof as well. Both soffit and fascias are on the underside of your roof that hangs over your home. If they are damaged, or you notice mold or mildew growth which could be from water leaks.
Check the Inside of Your Roof
Roofs are not only to protect your home on the exterior but to protect your interior contents as well. You will need to go up into the attic. Check and see that you have enough insulation in your attic. You can do a little research to determine how much insulation you need for your home. Also, check your insulation for rot or mold that could indicate water damage. If you notice droppings from animals on your insulation, you may want to have a company check your attic for animals and remove them if they find some. Look over your head inside your attic at the beams that form the frame of your roof. If you see sagging or bending, they may need replacing.
Write It Down
It can be easy to inspect your roof but forget what you need to have repaired or replaced when you get to the bottom of your ladder, and you are safely on land again. Once you’re down on the ground, take some time to make a sketch of the problems you noticed about your roof. That way, a roofing contractor will know exactly where the problems are and be able to locate them quickly. If you aren’t sure what a specific problem is, a contractor will be able to look at your notes to determine your problem.
What If I Don’t Want to do Roof Maintenance?
Getting on top of a roof can be dangerous, especially as you age. If you are not sure you want to climb on a ladder to check out a roof, there are roofing contractors that can help with roof inspections, cleaning, and repairs. Roof Fix has been in the business of roofs for many years because we always put our customers first. We’ll be happy to make an appointment with you to inspect your roof or to come out to fix problems with your roof. We excel at roof maintenance. Why not reach out to us today?
