Why Every Single (Asphalt) Shingle Matters.
What are Asphalt Shingles?
Asphalt shingles are one of, if not THE most commonly used roofing material in the United States and our specialty. They can last for decades IF properly taken care of and are low cost, high durability, and meant for weathering storms, high wind, and snow. Every single shingle matters, and when shingles start cracking, and granules start falling off, you want to fix it immediately.
Why bother replacing crooked shingles?
Hanging shingles is more than just a cosmetic issue. Crooked and cracked shingles can cause water to slowly seep through the roof and cause mold and mildew damage inside your home. If you look carefully, you can see this starting to happen through moss and algae growth on your shingles.
Even the granules on every shingle are a vital part of your roof. The granules are made of tiny pieces of fiberglass, asphalt, or organic materials that help make the roof resistant to fire damage and ultraviolet rays. When these small granules start falling off the shingles in bucketloads and end up in your gutter, it’s a good sign you need your shingles replaced.
Installing Shingles Yourself - What Could Go Wrong?
With the many intricacies that come with shingles, every detail is essential. Klaus Larsen’s roofing professionals have the knowledge and experience to install new shingles properly. Reshingling your roof on your own can result in a poorly renovated roof that is just as susceptible to further damage, if not more.
Timing
One of the first things that can go wrong is the time of installation. Shingles can only properly bond to the structure when the temperature is consistently over 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit. I.E., winter is NOT the ideal time to install new shingles, but if the need is dire, consult with Klaus Larsen Roofing professionals.
Tools of the Trade
Several problems can occur with the use of the nail gun as well, aside from the loss of fingers and other bodily injuries. Shingles have to be nailed along the nailing strip, which can vary based on the manufacturer, and you don’t want to use too little or too many nails. That’s just the beginning of the safety concerns with installing shingles. Unstable ladders and incorrect footing can be detrimental to the roof as well as the DIY “roofer.”
Layering
When replacing old shingles, people often place new shingles on top of existing ones under the misconception that it will save them time and money. This can cause several problems and ultimately leave your roof in a worse state than it started in. Layering shingles can prevent a proper investigation of the roof, causing water damage and other problems to go unnoticed.
Shingles are also meant to be installed in a specific, overlapping pattern to prevent water from getting in and provide support structures for other shingles. They also adhere to the flat form of the roof decking. When they are installed on the bumpy and uneven surface of old shingles, they don’t stick as well and are prone to blowing off in the wind. Adding shingles on top of shingles also increases weight strain on your roof, can violate building regulations and shingle warranties, and decrease the market value of your home. It’s quite the rookie mistake in the roofing world.
Leave the Roof to the Professionals - Put A Klaus on Your House!
Whether or not you think you can replace your shingles, or if you question if they need replacing, schedule your FREE ESTIMATE today! Don’t damage your roof any further, put a Klaus on your house!
