It is getting to the time of year where the temperature drops and the snow starts flying. Before you have a foot of snow on your roof it is a good idea to do a roof inspection to avoid any unexpected surprises this winter! If your roof is older than 10 years old, it is considered an aging roof. Use our quick guide for aging roofs below.
A Quick Guide For Aging Roofs
Since your roof typically has a life span of 20 years, it is easy to forget when you last replaced it. We also fathom that you are here to learn about it because you are not a roofing professional yourself.
There are several visual inspection items that give roofing professionals a good indication of not only the age of your asphalt roof but about how much life it has left as well. If you are comfortable with getting on a ladder, these are some of the things you can look for on your own roof.
Blistering
During the manufacturing, process air may become trapped in the layers of the shingle. When the sun hits the shingle it can cause those pockets of air to expand and create blistering marks. It is important to note that these air pockets are not a manufacturing defect and blistering can be avoided.
If your roof has excessive blistering it can be related to improper ventilation in your attic. If you see signs of excessive blistering it may lead to other problems with your roof.
Flaking
Like Blistering this is something that is caused by the manufacturing process. This is typically a defect in the shingle and if you are noticing it in a lot of shingles on your roof system it could mean you have a bad batch of shingles.
We strongly recommend contacting the roofing company that installed your roof to inspect it for a possible warranty repair.
Granule Loss
Over the life of your roof, you will experience shingle granule loss. This is a normal occurrence. A good place to start looking for granule loss is in your gutters. This is where the granule will typically collect.
Don’t be surprised to see some granule in the gutters, however, there should not be a lot of it or any kind of buildup. If you notice buildup in the gutters then you may have more serious roofing issues going on.
As we mentioned long-term granule loss is ok, but when you start noticing a significant loss in a short period of time, we recommend having your roof inspected to determine the cause of the granule loss and if roof replacement is necessary.
Common Causes of Granule Loss
- Uniform Granule Loss: Over time shingles will start to lose the granule on them. It is considered part of the aging process for asphalt shingles. The rate of loss depends on the shingle and climate. As long as the loss is uniform it is typically a result of normal weathering.
- Loss on one slope: Granule loss on one slope or slopes facing the same direction is common. Often South and West facing slopes take more of a beating from the weather than other slopes.
- Foot Traffic: Do you climb up on your roof to decorate for the holidays every year or to clean out your gutters? Excessive food traffic on your roof can wear shingles prematurely. Look for signs of a consistent path of wear around the area of heavy foot traffic.
- Batch Problems: Each batch of shingles may have slight differences in how they were manufactured. This can cause uneven wearing on the roof. As a result, you may see an area of your roof that has more granule loss than others.
Damage from Hail or Storms
Hail and storms can damage even the best roof. Unfortunately, there is no way to stop it from happening either. Look for signs of impact on the roof. They often will be associated with some sort of granule loss as well. If you see significant damage contact a roofing company like Gold Star Contracting to help you evaluate the damage and take the steps to repair or replace your roof.
What Should I Do If I See These Signs?
Do an interior inspection of your attic space looking for signs of moisture penetrating the roof. The next thing to do is to contact us at Gold Star Contracting. We will set up a time to do a complete roof inspection. Our roof inspectors will give you the straight forward truth on what your roof needs. Lastly, sit back, relax and trust that you are in good hands for your roofing project.
Why Choose GoldStar Contracting
Gold Star Contracting is proud to offer gold star quality service, products, and workmanship, all at a fair price.
We will take the time to help you understand the process so you are prepared for the service. We also strive to provide you with the least amount of disturbance possible.
Roof replacement is one of the big jobs regarding home improvements. Luckily, in many cases, the roofing repair or even the roofing replacement jobs can be completed while you are at work.
This means you could go about your day in the usual way and return home to a freshly repaired or replaced roof.
At Gold Star Contracting, we finish all jobs with a final quality inspection and professional cleanup. See our BBB Rating and read what our clients have to say!
If your roofing repair or replacement can be claimed through your insurance company, we are happy to help you navigate these otherwise complex processes.