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Roof Maintenance Tips

It’s easy to forget about proper roof maintenance because most roofs are made from shingles, which last about 20 years, or tiles, which can last up to 100 years. However, these lifetimes are just an estimate, and with proper upkeep, a roof should remain in good shape throughout its life expectancy. There are a few points to bear in mind when examining a roof for leaks, rot, mold, moss, crumbling shingles or broken tiles, and knowing what to look for can help a homeowner through the process of hiring a Monmouth County roofing contractor to repair or replace a roof.

If the condition of the roof is so bad that leaks are forming in places throughout the house, it’s long past time to call a contractor to fix the roof, and this advanced deterioration of the structure can lead to further problems such as heating and cooling inefficiency, insects and water damage. It’s usually time to fix a roof long before it gets to this state, and as long as the shingles are less than 20 years old, it’s often more economical to repair parts of the roof that need it than to completely replace it. In the case of a full replacement, there are emerging green technologies that can save homeowners up to 30 percent on energy bills while reducing indoor temperatures and making the home more comfortable in general.

Have a question regarding new roofs or roof repairs? Ask a roofing professional from Fortified Roofing of Monmouth County NJ.

In the past, cool roofs weren’t allowed in all neighborhoods because they tended to clash with the other homes due to their being made from a bright, reflective white material. Modern cool roof materials are made from dark-colored fiber and reflective substances that look like normal shingles but absorb around 35 percent less solar radiation than regular asphalt, wood or fiberglass shingles.

The Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Star and the National Roofing Contractors Association have developed a guide to choosing the most energy-efficient shingles, tiles or industrial-grade materials for replacing roofs or building new ones, and homeowners can easily follow the metrics provided by the Energy Star label on approved materials. Ordinary shingles are made from dark, fibrous substances that provide ideal protection from the elements but absorb virtually all solar radiation and reach summer temperatures of up to 150 degrees, making upstairs rooms extremely expensive to keep cool. The way cool roofs get around this limitation is by coating shingles with special reflective granules that reflect heat without reflecting light as much, making them appear dark to the eye and cool to the touch. Have a question regarding new roofs or roof repairs? Ask the roofers from Fortified Roofing of Monmouth County NJ.

Roofing term courtesy of Fortified Roofing, Monmouth County NJ:

Energy Star

Energy Star is a government organization founded by the Environmental Protection Agency to help consumers choose building materials that reduce energy consumption. The goal is to protect the environment while reducing the nation’s dependency on foreign energy suppliers and improving the economy by helping people save money.

Monmouth County roofing FAQ:

How can homeowners check their roofs for common problems?

Homeowners with second-story windows can easily look out at their roofs to search for brittle or cracked shingles as well as shingles covered in mold or moss. These materials have already started to lose their structural integrity and have probably started leaking as well. On one-story homes, the only way to check the roof’s condition is by climbing up on a ladder at various points around the perimeter.

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If you would like to ask a question regarding roofers, a new roof installation, roof leak repairs, skylight options or gutters and downspouts please contact Fortified Roofing today!

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