Asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingles are designed to shed water from the roofing structure to the gutters. This is an obvious statement and may seem rather elementary. However, can you tell when your asphalt shingles are ready to fail or have the potential to fail?

Changing the asphalt shingles prior to failure can save time, stress, and money. A leaking roof can cause considerable damage to your home and personal belongings. All too often you don’t even know it’s happening until after damage is done unless you know what to look for.

Preventative maintenance is one of the best ways to keep the value of your home up where it belongs. The shingles are one of the most important components of your home. Knowing when to replace your shingles can be one of the most complex decisions a homeowner can make. However, with a little knowledge and some investigation you should be able to determine when to get expert advise on the current condition of your asphalt shingles.

The following conditions may help you assess the current condition of your asphalt shingles.

Bare Spots

The protective granular surface of the shingles wears off as the asphalt , into which the granules are embedded, begins to harden over time. Bare spots are often accompanied by fine fissures on the shingles’ surface and by the accumulatation of granules in the gutters.

Curling

The upward curling of shingle tabs makes them highly susceptible to wind and ice damage. This is a problem on older roofs where moisture build-up in the attic affects the underside of the shingle.

Broken shingles

Damage can be caused by extreme wind conditions and snow removal. Since shingles are supposed to shed water, broken torn or missing tabs become obvious entry points for water especially on low slope roofs where run-off is slower and at the peaks of the roof where shingles are the most vulnerable to high winds.

Buckling

Buckling is a visible distortion of waviness in the horizontal lines of the shingles, and usually runs in a straight line up the roof slope. Shingle tabs become exposed to wind and

can be torn off. Very often, the problem is warping in the roof deck caused by poor attic ventilation. The use of thinner-than– recommended plywood's and other non-plywood materials add to the problem.

Flashing

Many problems occur at the flashing around vents, soil stacks, chimneys and vertical wall joints. Is the flashing cracked? Is the calking around the flashing dried out? Are the shingles that lie over the flashing in good shape?

Take time once a year to observe the condition of your roof. Good observation can be performed by using a pair of binoculars. Always avoid getting on the roof unless it’s absolutely necessary. If it’s absolutely necessary call a professional