One of the most important things when it comes to your shingle roof is the ventilation. Nothing ages your shingles more than extra heat buildup in the summer and cold winter weather. No matter what the weather is outside, with proper ventilation and air circulation you can prevent many problems that can occur with shingle roofs. If you see any leaking, blistering, distortion, curling, rotting or wetness contact a roofing contractor for a detailed inspection of your homes roof and ventilation systems. Installing a new roof without proper ventilation in place voids any manufactures warranties. Be sure the problems with ventilation are fully taken care of before repairing or replacing your homes shingling.
Speaking of warranties it is important that homeowners understand what is and is not covered under workmanship guarantees. A workmanship guarantee covers problems that are a direct result of poor workmanship. This is issues that arise due to insufficient nails used to secure the shingles, poor shingle alignment, overexposed shingles and improperly installed vents and flashing. The workmanship guarantee does not cover issues that come from condensation, wind or hail damage, ice dams, defects in materials, issues with the roof structure or interior cracks or damage that occurs with the installation of the new shingle roof.
Shingle roofs, if taken care of and well maintained can last anywhere from ten to twenty plus years. They do however need to be cared for. When homeowners notice something that looks unfamiliar they need to call in a roofing contractor to evaluate the issue. The winter season can bring issues that need to be evaluated such as ice dams. Ice dams are a huge issue that comes from the thawing and freezing of snow. As the snow melts the water runs down the shingles often refreezing at the edge of the roof. This process repeats itself over time eventually building up substantial ice dams. When the water freezes and water continues to run down it causes backups underneath the shingles. This then creates an ice dam which can eventually lead to interior leaking.
Ice dams can be avoided with proper ventilation and maintenance. If however you do notice that your roof has ice dams it is time to call in a roofing expert to evaluate the situation. The first thing they will do is to look into what is causing the ice damns to form in the first place. Is there leakage in the attic? If so they will look into installing a vapor barrier and sealing air leaks throughout the attic. Another thing to consider is the amount of insulation in the attic. If the attic is not kept cool enough the snow will melt. Proper ventilation will allow cool air into the space reducing the effects of melting snow, therefore decreasing the likelihood of ice dams forming. Once ice dams occur it is difficult to remove them. A licensed roofing contractor may attempt to manually remove the ice buildup after the issues are resolved. This process requires detailed care in order to avoid shingle damage.
A properly installed shingle roof with adequate ventilation is something all homeowners can have by hiring a qualified roofing contractor to inspect their current roof. Once your inspection has happened be sure to fix and repair areas that were not up to par before a new roof is installed. This will ensure that with regular maintenance your new roof will live up to the expected lifespan of the shingles.
Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs. You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.