Tips to Increase the Lifespan of Your Asphalt Shingle Roof

by Sue White | Apr 27, 2023 | Roofing

roof Fort Worth TX It was a costly investment. It makes sense that you want to make the most of your investment. There are many cases in which the lifespan of an asphalt shingle roofing system is reduced. While the lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof can be limited, it can be extended in order to maximize your investment.

Restoration Roofing TX has been helping homeowners maximize their roof investments for over 30 years. To help you extend the life of your asphalt shingle roofing, I will give you some tips.

The following five tips will help you maximize the return on your asphalt roofing investment.

Assure that your attic is properly ventilated
Trim tree branches and limbs
Keep your roof and gutters free of debris
Roof inspections should be performed annually
Do not pressure wash your roof in order to remove moss or algae

1. Make sure that your attic is properly ventilated

Attic ventilation is one of the best ways to maximize your asphalt shingle roofing’s life expectancy. The ventilation system in your attic allows both your roof and home to breathe.

This has a major impact on the lifespan of your asphalt shingle roofing system and your house in general. If you used a reputable contractor to install your roof, then you should have enough vents.

If you do not have enough ventilation in your attic, trapped air can drastically reduce the life of your roof. Heat builds up in the attic during the summer. This causes your roof to be burned by the hot air, causing the decking adhesives to degrade and the shingles to curl or crack.

The heat and moisture in the attic of your home can cause condensation to build up on your roof decking. The trapped condensation causes your roof decking’s ability to support nails to be compromised, as well as its load-bearing capability and mold/mildew.

2. Trim tree branches and limbs

Trimming back trees that are close to or overhanging your roof will extend the life of your asphalt shingles. Bird droppings on asphalt shingles are the first thing you should be concerned about when there are tree limbs hanging over your roof.

The constant presence of bird droppings on an asphalt roof can reduce its lifespan. They are acidic, and they eat through the asphalt shingles. Next, you need to be concerned about the branches and limbs that hang over the roof.

The top layer of your roof is eroded by overhanging tree branches. This happens because they allow water to drip constantly every time it rains. Also, you have to consider the possibility of leaves, sticks and other debris falling from tree branches onto your roof.

It will prevent drainage and cause water to flow in the wrong direction until it finds its way into your home. You don’t want to have to deal with a falling tree branch on your roof.

If they are large enough, falling limbs can cause structural damage and even damage to your asphalt shingles. You don’t have to cut down the tree in order to extend the life of your asphalt shingle roofing.

Keep your tree branches as short as possible to avoid the majority of these problems.

3. Keep your roof and gutters free of debris

Thirdly, keep your gutters clear and your roof free of debris to prolong the life of your asphalt shingle roofing. The gutters are responsible for directing water after it leaves the roof. However, a blockage of debris will prevent them from draining properly.

If you leave it too long, this can lead to gutters overflowing, which, if not addressed, will cause rot on the roof decking. This can also cause cracks in the foundation of your home and wash out areas near it.

You should also keep your roof free of debris. I mentioned it in the previous section. The accumulation of debris on the roof can create a dam that prevents water from flowing properly.

You should also be concerned about the effects of having wet debris on your roof over a long period of time. Sitting debris can saturate your asphalt shingles, reducing their lifespan.

The more you leave the wet debris to sit, the greater the damage done to your asphalt shingles. The next method will help you to do this regularly.

4. Roof inspections should be performed annually

You need to perform regular maintenance on your car, such as changing the oil and performing other general repairs. Roof maintenance is one of the most effective ways to prolong your asphalt shingle roofing’s life.

It is important to perform regular roof maintenance on your asphalt shingle roofing system in order to detect potential problems and prevent leaks from occurring. Roof maintenance is essential to prevent a small issue from snowballing into a costly, expensive repair.

Roof maintenance also gives you the chance to perform the other tasks we have discussed, such as clearing your roof from debris and trimming tree branches. If you want to extend the life of your asphalt shingle roofing, I suggest getting maintenance done at least once per year.

You should know that many roofing contractors provide a maintenance plan to keep you up-to-date with your annual inspections. These programs are usually accompanied by other benefits to sweeten the deal.

5. Do not pressure wash your roof in order to remove moss and algae

As your asphalt shingle roofing ages, it becomes dirty with bird droppings, algae, and moss. Some homeowners decide to have their roofs cleaned.

Pressure washers are the most common way to clean a roof. Although pressure washing is a good idea for cleaning the exterior of your home, it’s not advisable to use it on asphalt shingle roofing.

The granules that protect your asphalt shingles are blown off by pressure washing. This will shorten the lifespan of your asphalt roof shingles and speed up the time for roof replacement.

Pressure-washing asphalt shingles can reduce their life expectancy and void your roof warranty. Find a roof cleaning company that is specialized in soft washing.

When is it time to replace the asphalt shingle on your roof?

Now you know how to prolong the life of your asphalt shingle roofing. These tips will help you get the most from your investment.

These things can extend the roof’s lifespan but shouldn’t be done to delay a replacement. If your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, you won’t be able to avoid the need for replacement.

Waiting too long can lead to costly problems. I know that most homeowners would rather avoid the expense of a new roof.