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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, November 27, 2008 Neglect your roof at your own expensive peril By James and Morris Carey The Carey Brothers Roofs leak for two primary reasons: poor maintenance and deterioration due to old age. How long should your roof last? The American Society of Home Inspectors provides the following estimates for the life expectancy of different roofing materials: asphalt shingles 15 to 30 years; wood shakes-shingles 10 to 40 years; clay-cement tiles 20-plus years; slate 30 to 100 years; metal roofs 15 to 40-plus years. The life of your roof depends weather conditions, the quality of materials and installation, and continuing care and maintenance. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, an industry trade association, heat and ultraviolet rays produced by the sun have the most devastating effect upon a roof, regardless of materials. The sun will cause the material to expand and contract, fade, cup, curl, crack and deteriorate. Rain isn't an ally, either. Water will naturally take the path of least resistance. For this reason, one minor roof leak can result in extensive damage in various locations throughout a home. High winds can lift the edges of shingles and force wind-driven rain and debris beneath them. Extremely high winds can tear random shingles from the roof, leaving the roof spotty or even bare in some locations. Properly anchored shingles will minimize this damage. Melting snow often will freeze over the roof's overhang where the surface is cooler, creating an "ice dam" that blocks drainage to the gutter and results in water backing up under the roofing material. Mildew, moss and lichen can accumulate on roofing materials if they remain damp as a result of poor drainage or little sunlight. Once it grows, moss holds moisture to the roof surface causing rot or poor watershed. One of the best ways to rid the roof of moss and fungus is with a good power washing. (This may be best left to a roofing contractor or roof care professional.) Another way is to apply a solution of one quart of liquid chlorine bleach in a gallon of hot water to the affected areas, using a stiff nylon brush. Prevent minor problems from becoming major repairs by inspecting your roof in the late fall and early spring. Using binoculars will give you a good view of the roof while keeping traffic on the roof to a minimum. Look for loose shingles or shakes, or cracked or missing tiles. On shingle roofs, look for curling, fraying and tears at the edges. Be sure to check the metal flashings around chimneys, vents, skylights and valleys. Flashings should be secure, in good condition and painted with a rust-resistant paint. Gutters and downspouts should be kept clean and debris-free. Trees and other foliage which hang over the roof should be cut back, allowing the sun to dry the roof out and preventing fungus and mildew growth. Finally, stay off of the roof. Most residential roofs were not designed for traffic and, as a result, can sustain serious damage. If you must go up, wear rubber-soled shoes and avoid walking on it when it is wet. For more information visit the National Roofing Contractors Association's Web site at www.nrca.net. For tips from James and Morris Carey, visit their Web site at www.onthehouse.com or call the 24/7 listener hot line, 800-737-2474. The Careys are also on KRKO (1380-AM) from 6 to 10 a.m. every Saturday. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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