When you just redid your roof, I bet you won't want to have to go through

that again if you have a choice right? Well, even though you have no

control over what the weather does, there is hope in doing a few things that

could help prevent the roof from needing future repair or (dare I say)

replacement.

When choosing materials for the new roofing process you have the power

to select options that are more durable, high quality, and will have the

longest warranty! Make sure you look for a shingle manufacturer that is

quality but also within your price range. Some shingle manufacturers offer

warranties that last 30 or 40 years and others for a smaller amount of time.

Not all manufacturers will cover all damages so do your research before

making a choice!

There are two main types of shingles: oxidized asphalt and

polymer-modified shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most common type that is used in the process. We

recommend your contractor use architectural (aka: dimensional or

laminated) shingles over the 3-tab shingles due to their overlapping

formation on the roof making them more resistant to wind and hail damage

and they also have a better manufacturer warranty. The wind rating on the

architectural shingles can stand up to 110 to 130 mph (depending on

thickness and weather) and they usually have a 30-50-year lifespan. The

older 3-tab shingles usually only have a 20-25 year lifespan with a wind

rating of maybe 60 mph. The price difference between the two is small so

you might as well go for the one that is better quality.

Polymer-modified shingles look nearly identical to asphalt shingles except

for them being of much higher material quality. The inside is made of

rubber material that is more flexible and impact-resistant to protect against

hail, falling debris, etc. With this being a higher quality shingle your

insurance policy probably won't want to cover the entire cost, but we still

recommend installing it because:

1. Not having a higher-impact shingle puts you at a larger risk for storm

damage which makes it more likely for you to have to make an

insurance claim typically requiring you to pay your deductible anyway.

2. Most insurance companies will offer you a discount for choosing this

shingle (usually up to 20% off). Make sure to confirm the discount

with your insurance agent before you choose these shingles.

Keeping your gutters clean and debris free is important to keep your roof in

good health. Scheduling to clean your gutters at least twice a year can help

you maintain a properly functioning roofing system. You can do this task

yourself with a ladder and the right tools or you can hire a contractor like

our team at Southern Star Roofing and Seamless Gutters to do it for you!

If your gutters are left clogged and unkempt it will lead to restricted water

flow and cause damage to the structure of your roof. Especially if the water

freezes which will weigh down the gutters causing them to rip away from

the roof. Standing water due to a blockage will also start to decay and smell

bad.

Add your landscaping to the maintenance list! By keeping the trees around

your roof and home trimmed, you lower the risk of one breaking off and

falling onto or THROUGH your roof in a storm. And I know no one wants to

have to pay for repairs if they knew they could just eliminate the risk by

trimming their trees! Happy trimming

Several roofing companies, including Southern Star roofing and Seamless

Gutters, guarantee free annual inspections after repairing or replacing your

roof. Even if you don't think there is any damage or problems, it's always a

good idea to schedule preventive maintenance just in case! Some

problems are easily hidden and will sneak up on you when you least expect

them. You don't want to wait on this one unless you enjoy costly repairs!

Preventative maintenance allows for quicker and smaller repairs on

potential problems before they decide to grow into expensive issues.

If you have any questions on maintenance or repair work, call us today to

schedule a time for our team to give you an estimate and assess the

possibilities for your home. You can trust our highly skilled professionals to

give you an honest assessment and their professional opinion on what your

home needs.