The shingles on most roofs do lose their water resistance as they age, which is why it is so important that homeowners repair and replace their roofs when the time eventually comes. According to Greg Jensen, owner of the Portland roofing company A&E Roofing, the question is not if a roof will need to be replaced – it is when.
Of course, a roof that is well-maintained will usually look better than one that is left untouched and in a state of disrepair. But being meticulous about roofing needs and proper maintenance in Portland will not just help the roof look better – it will actually help extend its lifespan too. Jensen says that this is especially true for homeowners in Portland and other surrounding communities in the Pacific Northwest, since the combination of year-round rainy weather and very leafy trees can make it difficult to keep a roof clean and free of debris.
Flashing can become a problem as roofs age, and shingles can begin to peel However, the main factor that can decrease the water resistance of a typical shingle is granule loss. As Jensen explains, most types of shingles are covered in thousands upon thousands of tiny granules. As time goes on and rain pours down, those granules can end up washing right off the roof and into the gutters or the ground below.
Once the asphalt part of a shingle begins wearing down, the granule loss will become more and more apparent. Jensen explains that asphalt granules are what protect the asphalt part of a roof shingle, so once the granules come down, the shingle will wear down and become less water-resistant very quickly.
To tell if a client’s roof is experiencing granule loss, Jensen will start by looking in the gutters. If little granules are covering the base of the gutters around a home, then that is a clear sign that the roof itself is wearing down.
Although the Pacific Northwest’s rainy weather can certainly lead to granule loss and the premature breakdown of a roof, Jensen says that moss growth is another major factor that can make a roof become less water-resistant. If a homeowner lets moss accumulate on his roof without cleaning it off, then that moss will break down the granules and cause them to wash off the shingles. Leaves can be another cause of this, which is why it is so important that homeowners do not let sticky leaves accumulate on their roofs.
As a roofing contractor in Portland, Jensen says the main reason that people need to be careful about all of these issues is because a roof that is not water-resistant will lead to interior leaks. These leaks can be costly to repair, and people who spend the money annually to have their roofs checked will usually save in the long run by hopefully avoiding greater expenses down the line.