When Asphalt Roll Roofing Should Be Used

On the list of things that don’t warrant every day thought or attention, your roof probably ranks pretty high on the list. However, this can be a costly mistake, as roofing leakage or other failures can cost a pretty penny to correct. You don’t want to wait until you have water dripping on your dining room table or onto your bed in the master bedroom before you start paying attention to your roof. The longer you ignore problems with your roof, the more expensive it will be in the long run, making it important that you give your roof the time it warrants. Regularly checking your roof for leaks can help you identify problems as they occur, so you can fix roof leaks before they become too serious.

Here are a few tips for giving your roof a thorough inspection, as well as when you should consider upping your home’s durability by installing asphalt roofing.

Roof Inspection

The first thing you should do to check for damage is to take a walk across the roof, or up in the attic, and check for signs of wear. If you see daylight through the roof boards, then your roof needs to be replaced. If you feel spongy or soft spots when walking on the deck, this is a sign of water damage and will need to be addressed immediately. Some details you should take into consideration while inspecting your roof include:

• Age

If your roof has asphalt shingles, you can expect a lifespan of 20-25 years before you need to think about replacement. However, this is assuming that you have proper ventilation, and perform regular checks and repairs to correct any storm or other weather damage. If not, the lifespan of your shingles may be reduced by a considerable amount.

• Shingles

Check to see if there are any shingles that are curling, buckling or missing. If you notice that the shingles curl, or you find granules, it is a great indicator that the shingles are past their life expectancy. Also, if multiple shingles are falling or blowing off, you must be sure to cover the bare spots and then check the rest of the shingles to ensure the tabs are undamaged.

• Deck

The plain or deck of the roof is another important are for you to check during your roof inspection. If you notice unusual slopes or valleys, it is a sure sign that you need a new roof. These valleys will collect pools of water or snow, aging and wearing the roof prematurely, making your roof susceptible to leaks.

Roof Replacement

If you’ve examined your roof and have come to the decision that it’s time for a replacement, there are many options for you to choose from. Roofing materials are available in a number of styles, including: Clay or concrete tiles, slate, metal panels, wood shingles or shakes, or, the most common composition (asphalt) shingles. Asphalt roofing options are extremely durable and fire-retardant, as well as having the ability to withstand winds up to 130 miles per hour, most hail and snowstorms.

Asphalt Roll Roofing

One option on the market that you should seriously consider is asphalt roll roofing. Designed on a similar principle as composition shingles, asphalt roll roofing comes in rolls, typically 36” wide. Rolls of asphalt roofing are lighter than the other roofing options, including the shingles, and are generally easier and cheaper to install. There are also many different options for asphalt roll roofing: coated, uncoated, exact composition and fibers and topping variants. Before installation, you should research all your options to decide which type is right for your home.

If you’re considering replacing the roof of your home after a thorough inspection, there are a lot of materials to choose from. Installing asphalt roll roofing can provide your roof with the extra durability that it needs to protect your home for years to come.