Does your roof look a little worse for wear? It may still be fixable and restorable, so it looks as good as new for only a fraction of the cost of replacing it. Find out how to make your shingles last longer and cost less.
You can go anywhere in the world, and extreme weather happens everywhere, but for some of us, it happens a little more often.
In Colorado, it's just something we've gotten used to, and we get it all. Extreme winds, flooding rains, freezing blizzards, blowing tornadoes, you name it. So the question is, how do we keep our houses, more specifically, our roofs, intact and sealed against this constant onslaught?
I caught up with some local experts from to find out, and they walked me through the most common problems, and how to fix them without blowing the budget. They even mentioned a few tips to help you manage your own roofing inspections, between experts, and some suggestions if you're considering a new roof.
When extreme weather strikes, it’s not uncommon to find damage to residential, or even commercial roofing caused by extreme winds, heavy rains, or hailstones... and in Colorado, we get that kind of extreme weather so often, we just call it another Typical Tuesday.
That means we need a better defense than some other, calmer areas, if we want to prevent the damage from getting a foothold. We'll talk about building that defense in a second, but first let me explain why it's so important, especially here, with this weather.
The reason is simple: All the extreme weather needs is something to grab onto, and then the damage will slowly but surely spread through your roof.
Think of it this way: if one shingle near the bottom of your roof gets damaged and lifts up, it seems like it's no big deal, right? But the wind can catch that one shingle, and each time it does, it lifts it a little more, lets in a little more water, and lifts the shingles around it just a little bit. The damage spreads, faster than you might think.
Over time, and with every gust of wind, this damage will grow and grow, until it's a serious problem. So why not fix it when it's just barely a minor inconvenience instead?
In Colorado, where the weather can go from zero to tornado faster than... well, faster than a tornado, it's important to have your defenses fully ready, in advance.
You might be thinking to yourself, I just got a new roof. Modern roofing materials are designed to resist extreme weather. So why would I need an inspection, my roof should be solid for decades... right?
Well, here's the thing - even a new roof can take damage from a tornado or blizzard. If you don't get that damage fixed, it will slowly grow, and sooner than you'd like, your roof will start to develop leaks.
It could take 15 or 20 years for a new roof - but that's still a big waste, since a new shingled roof should last for 30 years, or maybe even longer, with the proper repairs.
It's not just shingles, of course, both residential and commercial roofs require regular inspections and professional repairs to ensure they remain fully sealed against the elements. will address the smallest signs of leaks, wear and tear, or drainage issues. It's absolutely required to ensure that your roof reaches its maximum potential lifespan before needing to be replaced.
But that doesn't mean there aren't some other steps you can take as well.
By correcting the smallest signs of damage, an expert team can keep every roof looking its best even as it ages, and ensure it remains fully sealed against even extreme weather. However, even with regular repairs and inspections, all materials will reach their end of life, eventually. I talked to the experts about what we can do to make the roofs last longer, and what to do with them when they're done.
The simple fact is, the lifespan for individual roofs can vary hugely based on local climate, the frequency of repairs, and the materials used. However, no matter what style of roof you get, timely and comprehensive repairs can help to double the longevity of most materials - and you can do your own inspections too, to save money on the process.
After all, you can think of your roof a little like you would a car - it's a lot more cost-effective to repair it when needed, change the oil, and check the tires - rather than running it without maintenance until it dies.
So how can you "check your own tires," when it comes to your roof?
Start by doing a full walk-around the house, and checking for any obviously lifted, damaged, or missing shingles. You can also check for missing granules, the bumpy bits on the shingles.
While you're unlikely to be missing granules unless your shingles are already aging and worn - if they're worn off, that's a clear sign that your roof needs some serious attention.
Finally, if all your shingles look great, do a check of all your eavestroughs, downspouts, and drainage systems. If you want to be extra effective, you can check your drainage during the rain, when it's easiest to see any leaks or problems.
You'll make your roof last a lot longer, reduce your long-term costs, and you'll be helping out the environment as well by putting off a full replacement.
Just make sure that you schedule your inspections preferably well in advance, so you don't forget - and don't forget to do self-inspections after any major storms or bad weather.
Taking a look at your roof from the ground is easy, and you can often spot missing shingles, damaged parts, or drainage issues. Don't try to fix them yourself, though.
If you see any, call an expert right away, that's the key to a long life for your roof - getting the small problems fixed fast, so they don't grow into serious issues.
With care and timely repairs, your asphalt shingles should last you for 30 years, or maybe longer. If you want an even longer-lasting roof than that, ask about metal sheeting.
Metal may cost a little more to install, but it can last for more than 70 years with minimal maintenance - and nothing stands up to hail and strongs winds like a metal roof.
