4 Important Tips and Tricks for Maintaining Your Roofing
Time will cause all things to fail. No matter how sturdy the construction materials you use, nothing lasts forever. Your roof, for instance, will eventually give way to wear and tear. Asphalt shingles, fiber cement, and wood, for example, will last somewhere between 20 and 30 years. Copper, slate, and tile might last around 50 years.
However, it is not just time that your roof has to contend with. Extreme weather and unforeseen accidents can vastly shorten the lifespan of your roof. Whether disaster comes first or time, you will eventually need to think about repair or replacement.
Between these, there is no easy choice. There are plenty of considerations that must be taken into account before you make an agreement with a contractor. As such, we have created this list of tips and tricks to help you make your decision. With no further ado, here they are:
1. Hire a professional to perform an inspection
After a storm, it is important to consider an assessment from a roofing company, especially if the roof was damaged. Even if just a few shingles were blown off or broken by a falling branch, the damage can be deceptive. There is no telling if the structure was damaged in a major way unless a skilled technician analyzes the problem.
Damage to the underlayment, which holds the layers, keeps the roof waterproof, and insulates the house, for example, can hamper the longevity of your beautiful roof. Aside from that, it can result in dangerous accidents.
2. Replace the missing or damaged shingles
If your local roofing company confirmed that the damage is localized to the shingles, then it should be easy enough to replace those shingles if possible. After all, shingles were designed with the purposes of localizing the damage to only certain sections of a roof in the event that tragedy happens.
You might, however, be hard-pressed to find replacements if your house is a historical structure. It might be wise to seek the help of artisans who specialize in the restoration of such buildings.
3. Keep replacement shingles on hand
It is not unheard of for homeowners to keep a few extra shingles on hand in the event that something happens to the roof. If you live in an area that is prone to storms and high winds, you might benefit from keeping a few of these tucked away for, quite literally, a rainy day.
4. Replace rather than reroof
If a roofing company discovers that your roof does need a major overhaul, it is advisable to replace the whole roof instead of simply reroofing. Reroofing is an older method of roof repair wherein new shingles are laid over the existing roof. What the years have shown, however, is that this has plenty of drawbacks.
First, it places extra weight on your roof, putting strain on the structure. Second, it seals up and makes it difficult to analyze and get into the underlayers in the event that repairs are needed.
If you aren’t sure whether you should be reroofing or replacing, give us a call. We’ll come perform an inspection and let you know what you should do to safeguard your roof and ensure it protects your household for years to come.
Final thoughts
All houses and structures succumb to time, but there are more than a few things you could do to delay the inevitable as far into the future as possible. With these tips and more, you could live under a roof that lasts longer than it should.
If you need a roofing company in Texas or Louisiana to help with your roof repairs, send us at Texas Certified Roofing a message. We can help give your roof and your home the special treatment it deserves.







