Factors That Affect Your Roof's Lifespan

As a homeowner, you want to make the best of your roof. Reroofing is a big job, and you don't want to replace your roof too soon. Understanding the various factors that can affect the lifespan of your roof is one way to accomplish this.

This understanding includes knowing what can harm your roof and what can help it last longer. The more you understand your roof, the better equipped you will be to keep it in top condition for years to come. Here are factors affecting your roof's longevity: 

Inadequate Attic Ventilation

The ventilation system in your attic enables your house and roof to breathe adequately. If your attic doesn't have ventilation, the damage caused by trapped cold and hot air will drastically reduce the life of your roof.

In the summer, insufficient attic ventilation makes heat accumulate, causing your roof to burn. It makes the decking adhesives degrade and crack or curl your shingles on an asphalt roof.

Moisture and heat from your house's interior may move into the cold attic during the winter, resulting in condensation. Because of the trapped condensation, your roof decking swells and becomes wavy.

The decking can also lose its load-bearing ability and capacity to hold nails, leading to mold and mildew growth. They can cause serious health problems. 

Poor Roof Maintenance

Your roof may have debris, moisture, cracks, and leaves that damage the building structure. Moisture damages your roof, and also it provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes which are a threat to your health.

Regular roof maintenance allows you to identify and repair minor roof issues before they develop into major problems that are costly to repair. Proper maintenance also helps avoid the risk of premature roof replacement, thus allowing you to maximize your investment.

Poor Installation

If your roof is not well installed, it cannot reach its full potential. Workmanship errors are the most common cause of premature roof failures. Mismatched shingles are one of the easiest ways to spot a bad roofing job. You can also tell a poorly done job by the lack of roof uniformity. If your roof looks different from multiple viewpoints or the materials look inconsistent, there could be a defect in the installation.

Even if your roof was made with the best materials on the market, an improper installation can lead to roof failure. Choose an experienced, skilled, trustworthy roofing contractor to ensure quality services.

Extreme Sun Exposure

Despite the sun being good for your health, it can be bad for the roof of your house. Excessive heat from the sun accelerates wear and tear. If you live in areas with hot days with long durations of sun, the roof color fades, and the material cracks over time.

UV radiation accelerates roof degradation, so you will have to replace your roof sooner than anticipated. If you live in extremely hot areas, request your roofing contractor to recommend a material suitable for your home.

Provided you invest in quality, choose a competent roofing contractor, and have it maintained, you need to get as much life as possible out of your roofs. However, the roofing material you use determines the number of years you will get out of a roof.

Seek advice from experts like Flat Roofing Experts of Albuquerque, NM, to extend the life of your roof. We can inspect your roof thoroughly, check its condition, and suggest the necessary repairs. Our maintenance program can assist you in saving money on costly repairs while keeping your roof in good condition. We offer competitive prices, so we will never ask you to overpay for high-quality work. Contact us today to get your free estimates.