How To Extend The Life Of Your Roof

Adequate insulation, ventilation and routine cleaning will boost the lifespan of your roof and can help you save money by delayed replacement costs.

Some key factors of a roof are the quality of the materials and workmanship when first installed. Both metal and tile roofs are durable and can nearly double the lifespan of asphalt shingle roofs, however, the installation costs are higher.

Workmanship is also an important factor to the lifespan of your roof as there are various opportunities for the job to be done poorly or installed using cheap materials. If you are buying a home it is important to have the roof inspected to check for any flaws. You should also ask the seller what year the roof was put on.

As a homeowner, you’re main responsibilities for the maintenance of your roof are:

• Ensure the gutters are kept clean to avoid unnecessary water damage to the lower deck board, fascia and soffit boards along the gutter.
• Clear debris from your roof like leaves or tree branches that could land and collect in the roof valleys.
• Have a professional inspect your roof every two to three years and as fix small repairs as needed such as resealing weak spots that can form along the roof flashing.

Why Attic Ventilation Is Key To Roof Longevity?

Low roof ventilation can be the cause of a number problems – including advanced ageing of your roof.

In the summer months, without proper airflow, your attic can reach excessive high temperatures. This hot air can penetrate the attic insulation, making it more difficult to keep your house at cooler temperatures. This air can even damage the paint and wall paper in rooms below.

In the roof these extreme temperature can scorch your shingles, therefore causing them to deteriorate quicker. The rafters holding the roof up can weaken by cracking and warping.

During the winter months showers, bathtubs, household appliances and cooking vapours can be responsible for extra moisture build up. Inadequately ventilated attics will then cause this moisture to build up and cling to the underside of the roof. Here, it will condense and drip, soaking the attic insulation and decreasing its efficiency.

Air circulation within the attic is dependent on the balance between air intake vents in the soffits and air exhaust at or near the peak of the roof.

How Insulation Helps Your Roof?

When thinking of insulation we tend to think of materials that fill your attic to delay heat transfer which in turn will help keep our houses cooler during the Summer months and warmer during the Winter months.

Insulation also helps to protect the structural components of the roof and the integrity of the building. Insulating your roof will help to reduce energy bills and create a comfortable environment for those living in the rooms below. Insulation also acts to extend the longevity of your roof.

Roofs can reach temperatures that are a lot higher than the surrounding ambient air. The sunlight in hot climates cause heat transfers from the roof to the areas and surfaces below like your attic.

When you insulate your roof with radiant barriers and reflective insulation, it decreases the transfer of radiant heat. The insulation acts as a barrier and defects the heat therefore reducing the temperature within the building.

Insulation can be added to exisiting roof systems. Certain materials suit various types and slopes of roofs such as steep-sloped, low-sloped and flat. Common materials used for roof insulation include glass and rock wool batts, polystyrene, cellulose fibre loose-fill or rigid foam panels.

When a new roof needs to be installed, light-coloured materials provide thermal insulation, decrease roof temperatures and increase the longevity of your roof. You can now buy traditional roof, materials like clay tiles and shingles in reflective materials that act to reduce thermal transfer and promote solar reflection.

Remember To Clean Your Roof!

Asphalt shingle roofs that are in consistent shade tend to promote algae growth. The algae feeds upon the microscopic particles in the limestone used in the shingles. This growth is distinguished as black or dark green and stains on the roof.

You can clean your roof carefully at home or hire a professional. Maintaining a clean roof protects the roof materials which in turn helps to extend the life of your roof. It is also believed to improve energy efficiency because a darker roof will generate more heat.

About Hyspec Constructions & Roofing

At Hyspec Constructions & Roofing, we are professional roofers who take every measure to ensure your 100% satisfied with your new roof or roof replacement. We work all over Sydney and the Sutherland Shire and know that every family has a different wants and needs. We will always give you the best advise based on your personal circumstances and always look for ways that can help you save. Through experience we’ve found that the clients who choose to increase the value of their home within a manageable budget are far happier and comfortable with the their choice!

Based in the Sutherland Shire, we are professional builders that promise to give you the best advice and guidance possible! Contact us now for a chat and get your project underway today!