Last week, we determined what style and type of roof we have on our house and started looking at some typical problems associated with asphalt shingled roofs. This week, we will continue our look at the most common types of damage and wear we find on shingled roofs here in the Burlington and Oakville area.
Loss of Granules – Granule loss is a normal part of aging asphalt shingles. It can also occur on new roofs and ones in between. To find out if you have granule loss, you can do one of the following:
- The easiest place is to look around the end of your downspout. Loose granules will be washed off the roof during a heavy rain. You can also check your eaves trough as well; the granules are heavy and often buildup inside the eaves trough. Finding a few is OK, but if you find lots, it is usually a sign of shingle failure.
- The last place to look is to climb on the roof and inspect the shingles. You will see “bald” patches were the granules have separated from the shingle leaving the under-layer of the shingle exposed.
Losing granules is bad for the shingle as the granules are installed to protect the under-layer from UV light, which decays the asphalt shingle quickly.
Blistered Shingles – There is an ongoing debate in the roofing industry between the roof installers and the manufacturers over blistering. Blistering is just like it appears on your skin. It is a raised bump on the shingle. Manufacturers claim this is purely cosmetic and does no harm to the roof, while roofers claim it causes premature failure. Blistering is believed to be a manufacturing defect, however, most manufacturers do not guarantee against it. A roof that is blistered should be repaired or replaced as the life expectancy of the asphalt shingles are reduced considerably.
Ripped, Torn, or Other Types of Damage – Shingles are not made of titanium, therefore, they are not impervious to damage from hail, trees and branches falling, or punctures from work being done on the roof by inconsiderate workers. After a storm or when you are having work done on your house that requires roof access, it is best to inspect your roof for damage.
Repair or Replace – How to Know
Maybe you are buying an older home or just don’t have the time to call in a professional for an experienced analysis of your roof. Just how do you decide if you need to repair or replace the entire roof?
Short of the obvious water coming in, this can be a tricky question. Most professional roofing companies here in Oakville will be more than happy to come and inspect your roof and give you a quote on the work that needs done. Even if you decide to use someone different or do the work yourself, it is often best to call in an expert who can assess the condition of your roof and make suggestions. Shop around and make sure you understand the work that needs to be done and the type of materials used. There is no sense comparing an estimate from one roofing company who suggests 15 year shingles to another who only uses 20 year.