When you have a new roof installed on your home you can expect it to last for many years. In fact, most roofing materials today can last for well over 25 years and have a warranty to back it up. But what about the roofing that is already on your home? Do you know how many more years it has left? For most roofing in Ypsilanti Michigan there are 4 factors that can contribute to the roof failing and developing a roof leak. We’ll take a closer look at these factors and what you can do about it.
4 Main Reasons Your Roofing in Ypsilanti Michigan is Failing
The most popular type of roofing being installed today is asphalt shingle roofing. Other popular materials used include metal and slate roofing. And while each of these materials will have factors that can influence their performance and lifespan we’ll only focus on asphalt shingles as they are most common.
It is always a good idea to keep tabs on your roof. When something happens such as a roof repair or inspection make sure you note the date and problem if any. This can help you better understand the roof performance over time. Since the roofing on your home can last for many years it’s better to keep this information wrote down or recorded somehow as well. Even if this is warranty work you’ll still be better off writing it down. With that being said, here are four of the biggest threats to your home’s roof:
The Age of Your Roof
For an asphalt roof, each and every year that passes means the roof is failing more and more. Asphalt roofing will start to break down over time and although this process can take years or even decades it will eventually happen. When it does start to break down the roofing will become more easily damaged by weather and storms. Eventually bits and pieces of the roofing will break away from the roof and you’ll end up with a leak. Repairs when your roof is older like this can be a temporary fix and a roof replacement will likely need to be done to solve the issue.
Storms and Weather
Storms and weather will cause the most damage to a roof. Although the damage can be made because the roof is older when the storms are severe enough it can damage even a new roof. The biggest factor in severe weather when it comes to roof damage is wind. High winds can break away shingles from the roof and cause damage. Another weather event that can damage the entire roof at once is hail damage. There are options such as impact resistant shingles which can be installed to prevent hail damage however.
Wildlife
Keep seeing squirrels and critters scurry around on your home’s roof? It may look cute at first but it can end up causing damage to your roof if they decide to build nests and chew through roofing components. Keeping tree branches trimmed away from the roof can sometimes help prevent this problem. You’ll also want to look for signs of bird nests in vents on your home. Proper ventilation is a must and without it your home’s attic can become extremely humid causing premature aging of the roof and possible mold growth in the home.
Neglect of the Roofing
Even month or so it’s a good idea to just walk around your home and look for problems that may be occurring. Are there any missing shingles on your home’s roof? Is debris collecting in valleys on the roof. A simple walk around your home can reveal many problems and give you a chance to stop them before they cause damage to your roof.
Get a Roof Inspection
Making sure your roof is in good condition to begin with is important. After all, no matter what you do in some cases the roof simply won’t last. The way to determine just what shape your roof is in now is by getting a roof inspection by a qualified roofing company. Call the Ypsilanti Roofing Company today at (734) 291-0165 to schedule a roof inspection on your home in Ypsilanti Michigan. They will look over the entire roof and determine if there are any problems that need to be addressed.
