Some people work as roofers for a summer or two. Others become lifelong devotees to the profession. Those who commit to roofing as a long-time profession really take the time to learn the details. Not only do they learn how to put roofs in place, but they also learn quite a lot about various roofing materials. This equips them to make good recommendations to homeowners who are looking for the right roof. We will also make some recommendations and tell you a bit more about roofers on this blog. While we are not roofers ourselves, we know a lot about the profession and are always happy to share.
When you're a first-time homeowner, you may not know a lot about home maintenance. For instance, you may not be sure how you're supposed to care for a roof or how to know when your roof needs to be replaced. If you have any concerns, it's worth talking to a roofer who can give you a roof inspection and advise you on what your roof needs. Here are three things you might want to know about residential roofing.
1. Black Streaks Are Probably Algae
Algae can grow on asphalt shingle roofs. The algae can make large black streaks on your roof that make your property look neglected. Algae may not even harm your roof, but it does make your home look bad. You can have a roof treatment that kills algae, and you may want your roofer to put copper or zinc strips on your roof ridge to help keep algae from forming again.
Copper and zinc can also fight moss. Moss has a different appearance from algae. It looks more like plants rather than black streaks. Moss is destructive, so you want it removed with treatments that kill it. Then you might rely on the metal strips to keep it from coming back.
2. The Granules Have An Important Purpose
Asphalt shingles are topped with granules that protect the shingles from the sun. If the granules get knocked off, your shingles start aging faster and your roof may not be as attractive. Some granule loss is normal and expected. However, if you see dark spots on your roof where granules have been swept away by low-hanging branches, call a roofer to see what they recommend.
The first step is to trim the branches and keep them trimmed. To repair the shingles, the roofer might add new granules, but they might just put new shingles on in the area.
3. It's A Good Idea To Keep An Eye On Your Roof
You may want to hire a roofer occasionally to check on your roof, especially if you suspect there is a problem. The rest of the time, you should keep an eye on your roof yourself so you catch problems while they are early and small. This includes watching your gutters since your gutters should be working properly to protect your roof.
You don't even have to climb up on your roof. You can look at it from the ground and use binoculars if you have them. Scan the shingles to look for anything suspicious such as curled or missing shingles. Also, check the metal flashing around pipes to make sure it's flat and not covered with rust. If you can see the rubber boot that wraps around the pipes, look for cracks that can develop due to sun exposure.
Check your entire roof, including the valleys and edges. You can also check the underside of your roof from inside your attic. If you find signs of a leak, call a residential roofing service to make repairs so your attic doesn't grow mold or sustain water damage.