5 Things That Extend the Lifespan of Your Roof
Did you know that a “30-year shingle” will only last you 10-15 years in Oklahoma? We can experience hurricane-level winds and hail during storm season. On top of that, sun damage in the hot summers decreases your roof's lifespan even more.
So how can you get the most out of such a large investment?
Here are 5 things we recommend you do to extend the lifespan of your roof:
1. Make Sure You Have Proper Ventilation
The shingles on your new roof are made of the same material that asphalt roads are made of.
If you’ve ever walked across a parking lot barefoot, then you know that asphalt absorbs a ton of heat. It also cracks from temperature fluctuations throughout the year.
Your roof faces these same risks. The asphalt shingles will absorb heat and crack. These cracks can introduce water into your roofing system and, in really extreme cases, could cause enough damage to require a full roof replacement.
It also helps reduce your air conditioning costs.
The cold Oklahoma winters can put your roof at risk too. Having proper ventilation in your roofing system helps snow melt without forming ice dams. It also takes the excess strain of heavy snow off your roof.
If your roof doesn't have enough ventilation, we recommend that you have more installed. Though you may pay for the upgrade out of pocket initially, your insurance policy will replace the full, upgraded system if you have to file a claim for damage in the future.
If you're concerned that you don't have adequate ventilation, schedule a free roof inspection with our team. We'll see what you have in place and make any recommendations if we think that your ventilation could use an upgrade.
2. Hang Christmas Lights with Care
We all love to put up lights for the holidays, but we hate leaks. Did you know that the two are correlated?
It may be tempting to nail your lights to the shingles so they stay up all season, but you should never nail anything to your shingles. Every nail hole is a path for water to enter your roofing system and cause rot and mold.
We recommend using clips or other non-invasive methods of attaching your decor.
3. Don’t Do Things That Void Your Warranty
Doing things that void your roof’s materials warranty hurts the roof now and hurts your pocketbook later. Why? Because your insurance policy may not cover a new roof if you caused the damage yourself.
Doing things that void your roof’s materials warranty hurts the roof now and hurts your pocketbook later. Why? Because your insurance policy may not cover a new roof if you caused the damage yourself.
One of the most common ways we’ve seen homeowners accidentally void their roof warranty is by not using enough care when they (or a repair person) are on their roof.
If you or someone else is on the roof to paint, install a cable dish, or repair a chimney, it’s possible for feet or tools to scrape the granulation off the shingles.
Why is damaging the granulation so bad? The granulation is the shingle’s main source of UV protection.
You can still get on your roof if you need to, we just recommend you use a pad or mat wherever you (or a contractor) are working.
4. Check the Rubber Seals Around Pipes
All pipes coming out of your roof will have a rubber seal around them to prevent water from seeping in through the gap between it and the roof. Over time, this seal can crack.
While you may not notice that it’s cracked at first, you will during the next storm when water is seeping into your attic. This can also cause water damage to your roof materials, cutting their lifespan.
If they seem to be wearing out, get in touch with a roofing contractor for a repair.
5. Schedule an Annual Inspection
As a homeowner, you’re responsible for protecting and maintaining your home, but that can be challenging if you don’t have the skills or time to do it yourself. If you’re interested in doing a basic inspection for yourself, download our free 28-Point Roof Inspection Checklist to get started.
Self-checkups are a great start, but just like we still need doctors when it comes to our health, your roof also needs a professional eye from time to time.
An experienced roofer can identify dents, holes, worn seals, and other issues that you may not be able to recognize yourself.
Are You Ready to Extend
the Life of Your Roof?
Your roof protects what matters to you most: everything inside your home. If you want to extend the life of your roof and protect the things that really matter, then it’s time to do a roof checkup.
When’s the right time for your annual roof inspection? There’s never really a wrong time, but in Oklahoma, before winter weather hits and before storm season are great times.
