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Summer is a great time to get roofing work done since the coming winter means that roofing problems that have been ignored can become big roofing problems and entire home type problems. Tiny leaks can lead to widespread roof damage and can compromise your roof deck, ceilings, walls, and even belongings inside your home if the leak becomes severe enough. But how can you tell if your entire roof needs to be replaced, or if it just needs a little maintenance to last you a few more years. Here are a few ways you can tell. Localized vs. widespread damage Since it’s probably been a while since you’ve taken a good long look at your roof, take a pair of binoculars, head across the street where you can see a good portion of your roof from the safety of the ground and scan your roof. You’re looking for sagging portions of the roof and for cracked, curling, or missing shingles. It will be pretty easy to tell if you’ve got widespread damage because a significant portion of the roof will show these signs of aging. If most of the roof looks fine but you an isolated section or two that appear to have some damage, you can probably get by with a patch but make sure to call a Spokane roofing company about an inspection and estimate to be sure. Granule loss You may have noticed that asphalt shingles have little ceramic granules on their surface. These give it their rough texture and also boost their aesthetic appeal. But these granules also have a functional purpose--they protect the shingles from the sun’s harmful UV rays which can cause the shingles to become brittle and break over time. Granules over one final benefit--they serve as a good indicator of how much life your roof has left. A roof needs to be replaced when the shingles have lost the majority of their granules. You’ll have to get out your ladder and get right up close to the shingles to observe granule loss. Another way is to check the rain gutters and downspouts after a good rain. If you’re seeing a lot of granule loss, there’s no sense pouring money into patches because you’ll just need another, and another, and another when the whole roof needs replacing anyways. Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com Source:bostonglobe.com/magazine/2017/07/25/replace-your-roof-patch-wait-year-here-how-decide/ndhnJuxPc5Jjv27ZAPxGLO/story.html

Asphalt shingles are by far America’s favorite residential roofing product, with a market share of around 90%. Because millions of households and thousands of businesses in the US have asphalt shingles, and because asphalt shingles have a relatively short lifespan compared to more expensive materials (around 15 years), a tremendous amount of waste is created from roofs that are removed. Each year in the US, approximately 11 million tons of asphalt shingles are removed from homes and commercial buildings. The majority of that waste ends up in landfills and has a huge negative impact on the environment. Fortunately, asphalt shingles are recyclable and environmentalists are urging roofing companies to participate in recycling programs for asphalt shingles which pays them for every truckload they drop off. Not only does this benefit the environment, it helps out taxpayers as well. What is recycled asphalt shingles used for Recycled asphalt can be used for a number of different products but it’s primary use is asphalt roadways. When a roofing company drops of a truck load of removed asphalt roofing shingles, workers at the recycling center will first have to dig through it by hand removing any roofing nails or other non-asphalt shingle debris. The asphalt shingles are then ground up to a consistency between pea gravel and coffee grounds. These ground up shingles are then added to the pavement mix to form the asphalt pavement that is heated and poured on roadways around the US. The current state of asphalt shingle recycling The percentage of old asphalt shingle roofs that are recycled instead of dumped is on the rise. In 2015, more than two million of the 11 million tons of asphalt shingle waste was recycled saving US taxpayers billions. As more roofers participate in recycling programs, it’s hoped that the percentage will approach 100%. With close to 11 millions tons of recycled shingles, that would drastically reduce the cost of repaving roadways and it would reduce the burden placed on landfills. If you need to replace your asphalt shingle roof, ask if your Spokane roofing company recycles. Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com Source:mywabashvalley.com/news/angies-list-recycling-roofing-shingles/762956320

If you’re like most homeowners, it’s been a while since you’ve even given a thought to the roof above your head. So long as it’s keeping water out of the home, most people are just content to let it be. But roofs can actually last a lot longer when they’re regularly inspected and maintained. So here are five things you can do today to help maximize the lifespan of your roof. Inspect the roof’s framing structure Though you won’t be able to see the framing structure of your roof since it’s hidden beneath the shingles or tiles, you will be able to observe if there’s a problem with your framing structure because you will see sagging or uneven areas on your roof. These are areas where water can pool up and lead to roof leaks and premature roof failure. Clean out rain gutters and downspouts Clogged rain gutters are a bigger problem than many realize. It blocks water from escaping the roof and causing it to seep beneath shingles causing damage and roof leaks. Ensure that rain gutters are fastened securely to your home Similarly, rain gutters can cause problems for your roof if they’ve pulled loose from your home in places. Working from a ladder, go all the way around the perimeter of your home making sure the rain gutters are securely attached. Clear away debris in roof valleys When two or more roofing planes intersect, they form a roof valley or a low point where debris such as leaves or twigs tend to accumulate. This pileup of debris can cause a problem similar to clogged rain gutters in which rainfall gets trapped in the roof valley and causes damage to that section of the roof. Inspect the roof shingles Finally, you can check the shingles themselves. Watched for shingles that are cracked, warped, or missing altogether and pay attention to shingles that are losing the little ceramic granules. If it’s been a while since a professional looked at your roof, you can have a Spokane roofing company come out and perform a more thorough inspection. Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com Source: dailyrecord.com/story/marketplace/real-estate/2017/06/02/six-tips-maintaining-your-roof/365492001/