Asphalt Roof Repair

Most residential roofs will last an average of 10 to 20 years with ongoing maintenance, but its lifespan depends on many factors, such as materials that were used, quality of the installation, house or building location, and environmental damage from rain, high winds, storms, heat and ultraviolet radiation, and impact from storm debris. The level of damage or natural degradation directly affects if an asphalt roof can be repaired – replacing a few shingles, or needs to be torn off and completely replaced. None of that can be taken on, however, unless damage and wear is recognized and assessed.

Assessing a roof for damage or degradation

Before undertaking a potentially costly and even dangerous asphalt repair project, the roof in question needs to be inspected for damage or wear. A local contractor may offer a free inspection, while some home and business owners are fully capable of inspecting the roof on their own. This can be accomplished at ground level, or even by examining the roof from a second story window or by using a ladder. What are some of the signs indicative of an asphalt roof needing repairs?

• Missing granules. Normally a certain number of granules will be loose, especially after application. Granules also are known as “riders” and are a normal part of manufacturing. A home or business owner doesn’t need to worry about the loss of granules, unless they’re missing from the surface of the shingles and expose the asphalt or Fiberglas® mat.
• Shingles or pieces of shingles on the ground or scattered on the roof.
• Rotting. Rotting is caused by absorption of moisture by the mat at the core of the shingle. This is a common problem with organic-based shingles.
• Blistering, which is caused by excess moisture in the shingle.
• Buckling, which is caused improperly aligned felt, wrinkled underlayment, roof deck movement, improper use of spacers between roof deck boards, and poor roof ventilation.
• Signs of water damage or mold in the house, usually on ceilings or in the attic.

Follow these steps to repair asphalt roof shingles

Repairing an asphalt roof – whether it’s one shingle or many – isn’t necessarily complicated. It’s a matter of knowledge, hard work, and the right materials and tools. And regardless of who does the work, home or business owner or a contractor, the steps to follow are essentially the same:

1. Evaluate the roof. The fact of the matter is that regardless of material or the quality of initial installation, asphalt roofs will fail over time. Once a roof is 10 years old, it needs to be inspected every few years, with the expectation of replacement after 15 or 20 years.
2. If an asphalt shingle is cracked, fill the crack with roofing sealant.
3. Use a metal scraper to press down the shingle, making sure to hold it flat for 30 seconds to a minute. That’s normally enough time for the sealant to fully spread into the crack, and for the asphalt shingle to stick to the roof.
4. Place a bead of sealant on top of the shingle along the crack.
5. Use a putty knife to smooth over the sealant, making sure any cracks are completely filled over.

The benefits of asphalt roofing

Asphalt roofing shingles are the mostly widely used roofing system for residential and commercial properties because they provide quality, durability, versatility and economy. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer’s Association estimates that more than 12.5 billion square feet of asphalt roofing products are made each year, enough to cover more than five million new homes each year. The benefits of asphalt roofing shingles are enormous and include:

• They the least expensive roofing material to have installed, and are the easiest when used in steep-roofing projects.
• Asphalt roofing shingles can easily be installed by roofers with little or no experience.
• They are easier to repair.
• Have a lifespan up to 20 years or longer.
• Asphalt roofing shingles will resist snow sliding off better because of natural surface adhesion.
• Are medium in weight, from about 2 pounds per square foot to just over 3 pounds per square foot.
• They are available in many colors and don’t fade over their lifespan.
• Asphalt shingles can cautiously be walked on when wet.

Finding a contractor

A major consideration for a homeowner with any roofing project is deciding to do the work, or hiring a contractor instead. Minor repairs or shingle replacement can usually be handled, but more significant work should be left to trained professionals with the experience, training, and tools to get the job done right from beginning to end.

Follow these steps when looking for an asphalt roofing contractor:

1. Verify insurance. It’s important that any contractor selected for the job provides proof of current insurance that can be independently verified.
2. Verify certifications. Make sure the contractor is properly certified by the National Roofing Contractors Association, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, or state or local organizations. Asphalt roofing manufacturers or suppliers often provide a list of authorized roofing professionals, so that may be a good place to start.
3. Make sure the contractor has a good reputation. Ask for references, and call them or even ask to visit their location to see the work in person.
4. Do your own inspection, making sure to look for any signs of damage, like curling, blistering, missing shingles, or even damaged flashing.
5. Get the most information up front that you can, familiarizing yourself with common terms, types of roofs, and materials and tools used for repairing an asphalt roof.
6. Never agree to hire a contractor without a written contract.
7. Make sure the contractor understands and applies all local building codes to the project.
8. Find out who’ll be supervising the work while a crew is onsite, and what are escalation procedures if something goes wrong or questions come up.
9. Only select a contractor who offers an extended warranty, and agrees to cover time and materials for any warranty work after the fact.
10. Finally, find a contractor who’ll use high quality materials, and research them beforehand. Repairing an asphalt shingle roof can be expensive, but it’s equally important to select a roofing professional that is trustworthy and well regarded.