7 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Asphalt Shingle Roof

If you have a shingle roof, you’re probably interested in making it last as long as possible.  After all, you want to protect your investment in your home or commercial building.  To get you started, here are a few shingle roof maintenance tips we recommend to clients based on our four decades in the industry! 

Our 7 Shingle Roof Maintenance Tips

Follow these tips to ensure a longer service life of your shingle roof.

1. Trim any overhanging trees.  This is a standard recommendation, but did you know it’s not just tree limbs and branches that can easily damage your roof?  Bird droppings can slowly eat away at your asphalt shingles.  Schedule a time to trim back overhanging trees to avoid roof damage.
2. Replace damaged or missing shingles.  Say your roof shingles have already suffered light damage from a recent storm or too much sun, and they’re blistered, curled, cracked, broken, or missing altogether.  Don’t delay—invest in new ones to protect your home or commercial building.  Otherwise, your roof becomes vulnerable and can quickly develop more extensive issues. 
3. Get rid of debris.  Leaves, branches, moss—your roof can quickly build up a collection of debris.  Don’t let this debris stay there, blocking drainage valleys and clogging up your gutters or becoming a home to invasive pests.  Clear it off seasonally by going up there with a leaf blower or hiring a roofing company to do it for you.
4. Ventilate your attic.  Your roof takes a beating from the Arizona sun.  Proper attic ventilation will extend your asphalt roof’s lifespan by keeping the shingle temperature lower, especially when temperatures get hot.
5. Skip the pressure washer.  Yes, removing debris is an integral part of shingle roof maintenance.  However, a pressure washer can prematurely age and damage your asphalt shingles.  Depending on the type of shingles you have, it could even void your warranty.  Your best bet is to use a leaf blower and lightly scrub dirt or moss away by hand.  Alternatively, you can hire a professional roof-cleaning company.  If a shingle roof is to be pressure-washed, it should be on a lower pressure setting.
6. Schedule roof inspections every year.  An annual roof inspection by a professional helps catch minor problems before they develop into more significant issues.  We can check ventilation and penetrations, and look for sagging, signs of rot or mold, and potential leaks. If an inspection isn’t part of your yearly maintenance calendar, it’s time to add it in.
7. Log your roof’s condition.  After your inspection, jot down anything noteworthy about your roof.  Maybe there’s a particular section you need to keep an eye on or further work you’ll need to schedule.  These notes can prove advantageous down the road, especially as you schedule maintenance work. 

The Inevitability of an Asphalt Roof Replacement

Even following this advice, you will eventually need a roof replacement. After all, depending on the type and color of shingles, they typically last anywhere from 15-40 years.  If you notice recurring issues with your roof (e.g., leaks, drafts, etc.), it might be time for a replacement.

Call the Arizona Roofing Experts

SUNVEK Roofing has proudly served homeowners and commercial building owners and managers in and around the Phoenix area since 1984.  Our nearly 40 years of experience means you benefit from our top-rated shingle roof maintenance. 

Need to schedule an inspection?  Have a sinking suspicion there’s an issue with your asphalt roof?  Go ahead and fill out our contact form below.  Our dedicated Phoenix roofing professionals will reach out and get you the information you need, leading with honesty and professionalism every step of the way.