A home is one of the largest investments most individuals will make in their lifetime. Protecting that investment includes maintaining the roof to safeguard a home. The roof serves many purposes including protecting the home from the weather and assisting with air circulation. Regular maintenance of a roof will help to extend its life. However, tearing an existing roof off and replacing it can cost a lot of money.
Some homeowners and roofing companies think it’s okay to add asphalt shingles over an existing roof. A homeowner might ask if they have to perform metal roof maintenance. This will all depend on their current roof. The stability of the roof will determine if it can hold the weight of a new asphalt roof. Asphalt shingles are very heavy, and it’s not recommended to put a new asphalt shingle roof over an existing roof. Metal roofing is an option to replace a roof without tearing off the old shingles.
Metal Roofing Can Be Installed On Any Home
Years ago, metal roofing was installed on homes and barns. Over time, the metal was replaced with asphalt shingles because they were easier to install and were budget-friendly. With the improved manufacturing processes, a metal roof is available to every homeowner and not just those with high-end homes. Only 60% of homeowners choose asphalt shingles.
Installation Over Existing Roofs
A real benefit of metal roofing is it can be installed over an existing roof. This saves the cost of removing the roof and sending it to a landfill. A metal roof should only be installed by a trained roofing contractor. Moisture can build up between an asphalt roof and the metal surface. A trained roofing company will install proper ventilation to eliminate this problem. Another option is to install furring strips to keep proper air circulation between the two surfaces.
Maintenance Of A Metal Roof
When a homeowner chooses a metal roof, they will need to perform roof maintenance. Cleaning off the dirt and moss that can grow on the roof is important as part of the maintenance program. The gutters need to be regularly cleaned to reduce the chance of water traveling under the surface of the roof. Leaves and other debris should be removed from the surface to eliminate staining. Although metal roofing requires maintenance to be performed, it is usually minimal. Regular maintenance reduces the chance of leaking, denting, scuffing, scratching, degradation, and galvanic corrosion. The investment in a metal roof is more than asphalt, but metal roofing will last twice as long as asphalt shingles when properly maintained.
If a homeowner doesn’t feel comfortable performing maintenance on their roof, they can contract with a roof maintenance service or a roofing company. Early identification of problems will reduce the change of major repairs. Structural maintenance should be performed every two years. Some locations might need additional maintenance if there’s been a lot of wind, storms, or frequent temperature fluctuation.
The best way to protect a home is with the installation of a metal roof. They will last longer, come in a variety of colors, and protect a home from the elements. They have a high wind resistance than asphalt shingles don’t offer and won’t need to be replaced for at least 50 years.
Photo by Tina Nord from Pexels
