6 Telltale Signs Your Asphalt Shingles Need Maintenance
If you’re like a lot of families, your home probably has an asphalt roof. This material is incredibly common these days, and inexpensive to install, which is why it is so popular.
But what are the telltale signs your asphalt roof is in need of some maintenance from a qualified roofing contractor? That’s what you’re about to find out. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Bald Spots
One of the first signs that your asphalt roof has issues is bald spots. These look like areas where the granules that comprise the roof have completely worn away, leaving nothing but the underlay.
If you notice this, then it means that your roof is probably in need of repair. Bald sections are more vulnerable to water penetration, so these tiles will need to be replaced quickly.
Granule Loss
Similarly, your asphalt roof might be enduring significant granule loss. If you see granules on the ground or in the gutters, it could be an indication that you have an issue and need to address it quickly.
Usually, granule loss occurs because your asphalt shingles are drying out. These days, you can get products that reverse this and bring it back to full health.
Cracked Shingles
Obviously, cracked shingles are another problem. If you have cracking, it is usually because of the effects of physical damage, although it can occur due to the climate or thermal stress (especially if it is affecting multiple tiles).
Unfortunately, if this happens, it usually indicates that there’s a problem with the roof’s integrity. Therefore, you may have to replace all of it.
Damaged Flashing
Your asphalt shingles roof could also have damaged or missing flashing -- the material around the chimneys and roofline. If this isn’t intact, then it can damage the integrity of the roof and prevent it from keeping out water.
Fortunately, you can deal with this problem by simply getting a roofer to replace the broken materials. Roofers can transform the appearance of your home and make it into something completely different with just a week’s worth of work.
Algae Growth
If you have algae growing on your asphalt shingles, that’s also a sign that you might have a problem. Biologicals can grow out of control on roofs, leading to additional moisture retention that eventually causes damage.
Essentially, algae growing on the surface of the shingles damaged them and opened up micro-cracks with their roots. Then, weathering gets inside, expands during freezing episodes and generally degrades the material. After just a few years, the results can be catastrophic.
Therefore, it is critical to pressure wash the roof regularly. Removing algae every couple of years in areas with wet climates is generally a good idea.
Buckling Shingles
Finally, you might notice buckling shingles on your roof. These occur when the edges of shingles curl upwards, leading to a kind of waveiness.
Unfortunately, this usually means that the shingles have come to the end of their natural lives. Most will only survive for 20 to 30 years or so before requiring replacement.
