Roofing Shingles are made of many different materials, including metal, wood, plastic, asphalt, and slate. Ceramic roof shingles (or tiles) are popular in Europe, but in the United States (definitely Atlanta) fiberglass-based asphalt shingles are the most used for almost every kind of house.
In the not-so-distant future we hope to progress to long-lasting, energy generating solar roofing shingles, but until then it’s important to take care of our time-tested asphalt shingles.
A few popular asphalt roofing shingle brands include Atlas, CertainTeed, GAF, GCP, Henry Company, IKO, Malarkey, and many more.
Over time asphalt shingles lose oil which causes their fibers to shrink, leaving the nails under the shingles vulnerable to bad weather. Once nail heads are uncovered or exposed, water trickling down a roof leaks into the building by running down the nail shank. This can cause severe rot in the wood under the shingles, and even rotting in the beams that support the roof. Eventually the water makes it’s way through your ceiling, ruining your ceiling, walls and paint.
Every few months (and after storms) you should check your roof from the ground. If you see problem areas (dark spots, lights spots, bare patches, larges branches and other debris) you should contact a professional roofing contractor to inspect your roof and shingles.
Here are a few ways shingles can become damaged:
1. Old Shingles
Aging shingles are one of the most common causes of roof leakage and roof sagging. Most shingled roofs last 20 to 25 years. A long-lasting roof relies on many factors though, such as weather, ventilation, and quality. When new shingles are installed on top of the old layer of shingles, a roof can need replacing much earlier than 20 years.
If your shingles are curling and buckling, you may notice granule loss. This can sometimes mean that the shingles are past their life expectancy, but it’s also possible that the roof is defective. Contact a licensed roofing contractor to see if you could be eligible for reimbursement.
2. Weather-Damaged Shingles
Severe weather is big problem for people in coastal states and certain parts of the Midwest. In Atlanta, we see heavy thunderstorms very often, but one or two hurricanes hit the East coast each year and of those very few reach Georgia. That’s compared to 40% of storms that reach the land hitting Florida…No thanks!
If you experience high winds from a storm, you’ll see shingles missing and/or damage caused by flying debris. This will quickly lead to leaks if you do not have your roof inspected and repaired. Fortunately, most insurance companies cover full roof replacements if the damage is severe.
3. Poor Shingle Installation
A reality in today’s world is that many “companies” get by with doing as little work as they can for the largest payout possible. There is scamming by uninsured, unqualified workers, and just straight up poor craftsmanship.
Experienced roofers agree that four or more nails must be used for any shingle type, that you must use starter shingles, proper underlayment, and guarantee cleanup. If you’re outside when a shingle comes flying off your roof, make sure to duck – those things are sharp!
Cost to Replace Asphalt Shingle Roofs
There are many factors of cost subjective to every different roof, but on average a 1,500 square foot roof is around $6,750, or $4.50 per square foot. In Atlanta we’ve seen roof replacement costs range from $6,000 to $15,000. Some roof replacements for larger homes can be much more than $15,000 though, so homeowner’s insurance comes in very handy when a full replacement is needed!
If you notice any of these problems, be sure to contact a Licensed roofing contractor like Atlanta Roof Solutions. Call or use our contact form.
Thanks for reading!
Atlanta Roof Solutions
March 29, 2019
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