Is It Time to Replace Your Asphalt Roof Shingles or Is The Damage Cosmetic?

A shingle roof comprises a large number of identical overlapping sheets laid in rows from the bottom up. However unlike tiles, these lie flat against each other and hence need to be uniform and smooth. The material used often depends on what’s available locally. In this instance we consider the asphalt roof shingles popular in Calgary.

Shingle roofs usually rest on wooden laths, or asphalt felt paper to prevent leaks from wind-driven rain and snow, or ice dams forming. Traditional wood shingles are steadily losing market share to fibreglass-based asphalt ones because these have a better fire rating. No shingles are completely watertight, thus the minimum roof pitch should be 4:12.

8 Signs Your Asphalt Roof Shingles May Have Had Their Day

# 8: Your Roof is Getting Old: Asphalt roof shingles seldom last longer than 35 years. Beyond that you are living on borrowed time. Arrange an inspection …

# 7: The Shingles Are Distorting: Weathering eventually causes the edges to start turning up, or the centres to bulge. Start saving for a new roof in a few years’ time …

# 6: You Lost a Few Shingles: That’s an easy one, you replaced the missing ones. However the colours did not match and your roof looks spotty …

# 5: Some Shingles Have Cracks: Asphalt roof shingles can crack in violent wind storms. If this happens across the roof you may have three years left …

# 4: You Find Granules in the Gutters: New asphalt roofs always shed surface material in the beginning. If this happens after 10 to 15 years have it looked at …

# 3: Moss and Algae on the Roof: There’s no pressing reason to worry about this. Have it chemically cleaned if it upsets you. A scraper will loosen more granules …

# 2: Spots of Sunlight in the Attic: This means light is getting in but not necessarily moisture. Look for water stains. Consult an asphalt roof shingles specialist …

# 1: Your Roof Is Sagging: This means your roof structure, or its support is failing. Get it fixed soon before you need an entire new roof. We’re not kidding …

Speak to Us for More Advice Soon

If your asphalt roof shingles are failing, then there’s a good chance your eavestroughs, fascias and soffits are also deteriorating. We are acknowledged Calgary experts in exterior building repairs, including siding. Call (403)829-1661 for friendly assistance from a family owned and managed company.