Many homeowners believe a lot about shingles from the roofing industry. These are the three biggest lies about shingles:
- They come with a 30-year guarantee
- A new line of products is available that are fungus- and algae-resistant
- Use bleach or a high pressure hose to clean your shingles.
These myths will be debunked and we’ll offer some viable solutions to ensure the highest quality roof care.
Shingles do not come with a guarantee
Shingles are available in a variety of lifetime guarantees. There are three types of lifetime guarantee: the 30-year shingle, 25-year, 40-year and lifetime. These are the segments that the manufacturers make. A 30-year-old shingle won’t last 30 years. If properly maintained, the expected service life for a 30-year product is 25 years.
A 30 year shingle that isn’t properly maintained will last only 12 to 15 years. This is one of the biggest misconceptions in roofing. Manufacturers know this, and they are aware that their warranties can be very limited.
Algae-resistant Shingles are not available
Manufacturers use crushed limestone in shingle to fill the gaps so that they don’t use as much asphalt. Asphalt is a petroleum-based product that can be expensive so they use more crushed limestone.
This creates another problem. Today, shingles are being sold by manufacturers that are fungus and algae resistant. This warranty is only good for two years. After that, it’s gone. It’s misleading for the homeowner as the warranty is no longer valid after the second year. This is also the time you will start to notice fungus.
However, there are simple ways to fix the fungus problem. This leads to the third problem…
How to Clean Shingles the Best
Gloeocapsa Magma is the name of this fungus. It is a simple fungus and grows on the trunk of trees. It attaches itself to your shingle and grows on your roof. It thrives on asphalt oil and the crushed limestone that creates the dark streaking.
People mistakenly believe they have to replace their roof because they see dark streaking. This fungus can attach to roofs and cause damage over time. Most people don’t know this. It’s often too late when they realize.
Gloeocapsa Magma can easily be removed with certain environmentally-friendly products. Bleach is a common ingredient in roof-care products. It can cause damage to the roof and be harmful to the environment. A pressure washer is also used by many roofing contractors to get rid of the fungus. The pressure washer is set to high pressure and the setting is low to force the fungus out. This pressure can cause additional damage to your roof. Your roofing shingle should not be subject to any pressure.
Proper roof maintenance can save you money
Your roof will need to be replaced sooner than you think. You’ll only get half the life of your roof if it isn’t maintained. Maintaining a roof is just as important as changing your oil.
Bob Vila summarizes it best. You can extend the roof’s life expectancy by inspecting it regularly, cleaning it as often as necessary, and making minor repairs when it is needed.
You will save money.
How to get help with roof repair and inspection
Roof inspection and repair should be possible by any licensed roofing contractor. You should be cautious about who you trust and make sure you ask the right questions. Do they offer maintenance programs? A roofer who doesn’t offer a maintenance plan, which is a program that takes care of your home, is a good indicator that he doesn’t do repairs.
KCG roofing is always available to answer your questions, provide assistance, or simply take a look at your roof. This is our specialty. We don’t do roof replacement as it would be a conflict of interests. To maximize roof life, we only specialize in roof maintenance and repair.
This post was written by a roofing professional at KCG Roofing. KCG Roofing is a premier roofing contractor in Florida! KCG Roofing has the experience and expertise to replace or repair your roof with quality materials and excellent craftsmanship. All our roofs are backed by a 15-year leak-free guarantee, the highest in the industry. We have been family-owned and operated for over 40 years. Click here to learn more.
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