When it comes to proper asphalt roofing maintenance, it should be done at least twice a year to keep it in good condition. But it shouldn’t be done by yourself but by an experienced residential roofing contractor, as they’re capable of repairing any issue they may find on your system.

Your home’s asphalt shingle roof will always be exposed to the natural weather elements as it deteriorates over time. This is why routine maintenance is needed to ensure the roof lasts as long as its expected lifespan. But there will be some cases where your roof may need more than just minor repairs, which is understandable if your roof is near the end of its lifespan. But if your roof is only a few years old, this could be a sign of shoddy workmanship or other blunders by an inexperienced roofer. 

With over 20 years of residential and commercial roofing experience, De Palma Construction knows what’s best for your asphalt shingle roofing system. We always offer our best services in what we do, whether it’s a maintenance check, repair, or replacement job. We also avoid mistakes that inexperienced and even rookie contractors commit, such as:

Not Following Manufacturer’s Guidelines

Roofing materials are made differently, even for asphalt shingles. This is why manufacturers have detailed regulations on how their roofing systems must be installed. If an inexperienced contractor doesn’t follow these guidelines during a repair or replacement job, then the manufacturer won’t honor the warranty in case your roof fails before its expected lifespan.

Mismatched Shingles

As a homeowner, having a roof with mismatched shingles isn’t very appealing. This can be caused by some contractors purchasing materials from more than one supplier and dealer. However, only professional roof repair contractors make sure to replace damaged, old, or missing shingles with new ones in the same shade and are made from the same manufacturer.

Inadequate Roofing Ventilation

Accumulated heat and moisture will only worsen your roof if you don’t have enough intake/exhaust vents installed. Trapped heat can especially damage shingles and cause mold growth and rot on the wooden components of your home, which can cause your roofing system to deteriorate faster than normal. When this happens, not only will its structural integrity be compromised, but you’ll be paying a much higher utility bill every month until the problem is properly addressed.

When you hire a trusted professional roof repair contractor for your maintenance, they’ll check if your roof has enough ventilation to keep your home cool and comfortable. They’ll be able to determine whether you need more intake or exhaust vents while making sure your existing ones are clean and well-maintained. 

Poor Roofing Installation

When you hire an inexperienced contractor to install your asphalt shingles, there’s a high probability that they might have missed or skipped a few steps during the process. When this happens, your roof won’t perform as well as it should and may even end up with premature failure. By the time you do maintenance on your asphalt shingle roofing, you’ll end up with more costly repairs or a full replacement! 

This won’t happen when you hire a professional who not only knows how to properly install a roof but also maintain it so that it will last for many years. For instance, if the flashing around your roof’s chimneys, vents, and valleys were improperly installed, water can seep through them and damage the inner layers of your roof. But with a professional contractor, they’ll ensure that each component of the roof is installed correctly and make the necessary repairs during maintenance.

Improper Underlayment Installation

When your hired contractor discovers that several areas of your roof’s underlayment are in bad condition, it can be due to the material being near its expected lifespan. Inexperienced contractors may suggest repairing only the affected areas, but this isn’t usually recommended, since the material is already compromised.

Since the underlayment is applied under all other roofing materials as an added layer of protection, they’ll suggest replacing it completely rather than patching the affected areas. It’s more cost-effective this way, even though it means replacing your whole asphalt shingle roof. But when you already have a badly damaged underlayment, it usually means your shingles and the rest of the roofing system are affected as well.

Roof Overlay

For an asphalt shingle roof replacement to be effective, the old layer of roofing should be completely ripped off first. Professional residential roofing contractors will never suggest a roof overlay, which essentially means installing new shingles over your old ones. While this means the installation is faster and cheaper, the long-term drawbacks will only cost you more later on.

If your old roofing system isn’t removed, there’s no way to know the condition of your underlayment or your roof decking. A roof overlay will only cover up the damage they may already have, which can seriously affect your roofing system’s structural integrity. You’ll also have two roofing systems installed, which often exceeds the typical weight capacity a home can carry. That means you’ll risk a roof sag or even a collapse and endanger the lives of your family.

Leaving Your Roof Dirty and Gutters Clogged

A professional roofing contractor will usually clean your roof during a routine maintenance check. This includes clearing out the debris and trimming any overhanging branches, as they know that they’ll get stuck in between the shingles even on a windy day. If twigs and small branches get stuck between your shingles, they can catch other small debris which can eventually accumulate and damage your roof. During rainfall, they’ll get washed away with the water runoff but will clog your gutters and downspouts.

It’s important to have your gutters cleaned as well, or else the clog will cause the water runoff to pool and overflow back to the base of your roof. It can seep through the fascia boards and soffits, causing them to rot and expose the inner parts of your roof over time. To prevent this from happening, make sure you get a trusted professional to maintain your roof.

Let a Professional Do Your Roof Maintenance

Even if you’re already aware of these roofing mistakes, doing the roofing maintenance by yourself isn’t recommended. Not only are you unable to guarantee a thorough inspection and maintenance, but you’ll also void the warranty on your asphalt shingle roof. You’re better off having it maintained by a trusted professional instead. 

To ensure your roof stays in its best condition, don’t just look for any other roofing contractor. Hire someone who’s locally trusted and has a good reputation in the community. And when it comes to excellent residential and commercial roofing services, De Palma Construction has got you covered! Call us at (717) 638-1131 or just fill out our convenient contact form. Talk to us today!