Extend the Life of Your Roof

Pitched Roofs

1.  The areas that are most likely to leak on your pitched roof are the valleys, protrusions, and flashings that have failed over time.

2.  Do your asphalt shingles shine or “glitter” in the sun?  That is a big indication that your shingles are very worn out and are at the end of their life.

3.  Debris: while landscaping can make your yard look beautiful, the branches and leafs from trees will fall on your roof and can cause damage.  More importantly they can create small dams on the roof and prevent water from draining properly.

4.  Roofs are made to shed water not hold water

5.  Hail and heavy winds can potentially damage your roof (be sure to be covered with the proper insurance)

6.  Gutters (if you have them here in the valley of the sun) need to be cleaned.  It can cause water build up and not only cause a roof leak but can damage your fascia and the wood on the eves.

7.  Nails (not staples) are a much more effective way of installing shingles

8.  Missing shingles should be replaced if they have been damaged or blown off by the wind as soon as possible.

9.  Pitched roofs should be inspected and cleaned if needed at least twice a year (best time would be before and after monsoon season which is June 15th to September 30th)

10.  Tiles break on roofs for a numerous amount of reasons but they should be replaced quickly as possible due to the sun damaging the underlayment.

11.  Tile on a tile roof helps shed water but it is not the water proofing element of your tile roof (that’s your underlayment’s job)

12.  Tile helps block the harmful UV rays from the underlayment so it stays protected.  Also Tile looks good!

13.  Small birds and animals can easily get into tile roofs – make sure if you are getting a re-roof that hip and ridge closures and metal birdstop will be included.

14.  Proper maintenance from a licensed roofing contractor can help extend the life of your roof.  Also keep an eye out, the quicker you see and have someone solve your roofing problem the less expensive it will most likely end up being.

Flat Roofs

1.  Again, (especially in the case of flat roofs) roofs are meant to shed water not hold water

2.  Debris is very important on a flat roof as they tend to block drains and scuppers causing large amounts of water to build up

3.  There are several different types of flat roofs.  Determine which is best for you and gives you the most benefits for the budget!

4.  Flat roofs are most likely to leak around ac units, protrusions, and seams where the material has been overlapped

5.  Hail and heavy winds can also damage your flat roof (be sure to be covered with proper insurance)

6.  Gutters (if you have them here in the valley of the sun) need to be cleaned.  It can cause water build up and not only cause a roof leak but can damage your fascia and the wood on the eves.

7.  Birds (especially pigeons) build nest and their feces can be acidic and cause damage to the roof

8.  Most flat roofs can have their life extended by using an elastomeric (acrylic) based coating.

9.  Like any other roof the UV is a constant hardship no flat roofs and causes deterioration over time

10.   Proper maintenance from a licensed roofing contractor can help extend the life of your roof.  Also keep an eye out, the quicker you see and have someone solve your roofing problem the less expensive it will most likely end up being.

by Arizona Roofing Systems, commercial roofing company in Mesa, Arizona.