What Homeowners Should Know About Asphalt Roofing

Asphalt roofing is a common solution used in the industry, especially on residential projects. Typically a residential roofing services provider uses asphalt materials in shingle form, attaching many pieces in overlapping patterns to maximize coverage. If you're considering asphalt roofing services, there are a few things you should know as a homeowner.

Product Life

Asphalt shingles usually last between 15 and 50 years. You should always ask about the manufacturer's warranty, especially if you've had several roofs at your location come in at the low end.

The reason for the notable disparity is that some conditions are harder on the shingles than others. For example, a steep roof in a region with heavy rainfall all the time may see the asphalt materials erode from the shingles faster. Similarly, shingles often hold up worse in regions that get pounded by sunlight all year. However, you can generally assume the listed manufacturer's warranty period will be a good measurement of the expected product life.

Maintainability

One of the reasons many people elect to use asphalt for residential roofing is because they can usually maintain the roof in small sections. Suppose you lose a couple of tabs of shingles during a heavy windstorm. As long as you identify the problem quickly, a residential roofing services contractor can usually just replace the missing pieces.

Similarly, if a tree punches a hole through the roof, you won't usually have to replace huge sections. An asphalt roofing services company can typically clean up the hole, replace the decking and felt, and lay down new shingles.

Likewise, asphalt shingles should be largely self-cleaning as long as the contractor did the residential roof installation work well. Rain and wind will largely drive dirt and debris off the roof.

Work Area

A residential roof installation services team needs a lot of room to do their work. This is especially true if they need to remove an existing roof. If they have to remove and discard existing shingles, the weight of the materials can go into the tons. Most contractors use large dumpster rentals to collect and haul off the materials, and that means you need to have a place to station them. Likewise, contractors usually need room for ladders, saws, and materials. They will also need somewhere to park their vehicles.

Permits

In many municipalities, permits are only necessary if the work alters the home's permit. Others require them for any large projects. Contact your local code compliance office, tell them you're doing residential roofing work, and ask what the requirements are before you start. 

For more info, contact a roofing company like Roof Cat.


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