5 Ways To Expand Your Asphalt Shingle Lifespan

It doesn’t matter where you live or what type of roof you have, roof problems are inevitable and will eventually wear out. Several factors can impact the longevity of your roofing. These can range from materials to weather exposure to maintenance and cleaning. There are ways, however, you can extend the life of your roof and offer you home protection for longer. One of the most common types of roofing is asphalt, which is designed to last between 15 and 30 years. Would you like to know more about how to increase asphalt roof life expectancy? From cleaning gutters to identifying leaks, our ultimate guide has you covered. Protect your home and increase your shingle roof lifespan with these expert maintenance tips:

Clean, Clear, & Maintain Your Gutters

Clogged or damaged gutters can cause issues to your roofing. While you may think that the water flow doesn’t have much impact on your home, it is, in fact crucial to your home’s integrity. Water that does not flow properly can pool up and lead to rotting or mold issues on your roof. If there is a build up of water in the water, the cold temperatures can lead to freezing damage. This means it is critical to keep your gutters clean and flowing properly. It is a good idea to check them a few times a year, especially if you have tall trees near your home.

Install Proper Ventilation

Proper ventilation is important in order to optimize the lifespan of your asphalt shingles. Without adequate ventilation, heat and moisture can build up in the attic. As a result, this will cause the shingles to degrade more quickly. This can leave the shingles more prone to:

• Prematurely Aging.
• Curling.
• Cracking.

Additionally, a lack of ventilation can also contribute to the growth of mold and mildew, which further damages the shingles. By installing proper ventilation, air can circulate effectively, removing excess heat and moisture from the attic. This helps to maintain the integrity of the shingles, extending their lifespan and ensuring they provide optimal protection for your home.

Trim & Care For Your Trees

As stated before, trees can cause gutter clogs. This is because trees will lose leaves throughout the year (especially in the fall in Chicagoland). These can cause clogging to your drainage system. Falling leaves isn’t the only risk trees bring, falling limbs, animals, or rubbing against the roofing also can pose issues. Having proper upkeep on trees close to your home can save your roof additional wear and tear that shortens it’s life. This will also reduce the dangers of a roof storm damage if your trees were to break. If possible, you may want to consider transplanting trees further away from your house.

Clean Your Shingles

Over time, your shingles can collect dirt, trap moisture, or even grow mold and mildew. To preserve the integrity of the shingles for as long as possible, it is important to clean your roof throughout it’s life. Keeping it clear of these damaging conditions will help make your roof last a long time. When cleaning, it is crucial that you do not power wash. Power washing includes high pressure water and soap being used to scrub a surface. On an asphalt shingled roof, this can be disastrous. The pressure washer can damage the shingles or cause water to flow under the shingles, causing their protective design to fail.

Apply A Reflective Coating On Top of Your Shingles

Applying a reflective coating on top of your shingles is a simple and great way to extend the lifespan of your shingles. This coating helps to protect them from harsh weather conditions, including sun exposure and extreme temperatures. By reflecting sunlight and reducing heat absorption, the reflective coating helps to prevent damage and deterioration of the shingles. This can significantly prolong the life of your roof and save you money on repairs and replacements in the long run. Best of all, the reflective coating can also improve the energy efficiency of your home by reducing heat transfer into your living spaces, resulting in lower energy costs.

Eliminate Snow & Ice Buildup

Winter in Chicago can bring lost of snow and ice. Asphalt shingles are great to handle and protect your home in all types of conditions, but excessive exposure to snow and ice can shorten the effectiveness of your roofing. If you have a buildup of snow or ice on your roof, you should consider removing it. There are a few ways you can eliminate this buildup. You can use a snow rake to pull the snow from your roof or you can install a roof heater to melt the snow away. If you are not sure what is best for you, you can consult us for recommendations.

Get A Roof Inspection Near Addison

The best thing you can do to prolong your roof is to pay attention to it. Watch for changes, discolorations, damages, leaks, etc. We are aware that not every homeowner knows what they are looking at, how to inspect their roof, or feels safe getting up to the roof. This is where we can come in to help. Davis Roofing and Construction has a team of experts that can help you keep your peace of mind and provide you with recommendations to keep you roof healthy as long as possible. We can identify problem areas, check your flashing, and fortify your home to handle all types of weather conditions. Winter’s deep freeze, and Springs intense thunderstorms can cause a lot of headaches for you, let us make sure your roof is still protecting you.

Increase Your Shingle Roof Lifespan with Davis Roofing

These tips can help you prolong the life of your roof and put you at ease that you and your family will be well protected from the elements. If you or someone you know needs to give their roof a little tender loving care, we can help. We know how to keep your roof in the best shape to make it through all of Chicagoland’s weather conditions.

Is your shingle roof showing signs of wear and tear? Davis Roofing offers expert repair and roof replacement services to extend the life of your roof. Contact us today!