5 Asphalt Shingle Roof Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

Aug 05, 2023

There are many reasons asphalt shingles remain the go-to roofing option for millions of homes across the country. For one thing, they are reasonably priced and easy to install, but can go head-to-head with more premium roofing materials in terms of weather performance. Not only that – asphalt shingles are beautiful. They are available in a wide variety of colors and textures, with some even mimicking the earthy good looks of wood shakes, tile and slate. 


An asphalt shingle roof has a life expectancy of up to 20 years, but you can make the system last even longer with regular and proper maintenance. This task is easy enough once you know what mistakes to avoid. 


1. Walking across your roof

Performing a visual inspection is the first step in asphalt shingle roof maintenance. You’ll want to be on the lookout for issues that can compromise the system’s performance, which means checking its surface for:

  • Cracked, curling, blistered or missing shingles
  • Damaged flashing
  • Roof debris
  • Algae growth
  • Pooling water


But where exactly is the mistake in this? Well, some homeowners take it upon themselves to give their asphalt shingle roof a closer look by climbing on top of it. You probably already know that roofing systems can only take so much foot traffic. Unless absolutely necessary, walking across the system actually does more harm than good. Aside from potentially damaging the shingles with your weight, you’ll also be putting your safety at risk. Slip-and-fall accidents are not uncommon during an amateur roof inspection after all. 


If you need to survey your roof’s condition, do it using binoculars and at a safe spot. Of course, a visual inspection isn’t enough. To accurately determine your roof’s condition, you’ll need to call roof repair and maintenance professionals like Total Roof Services Corp. They have the training and experience for the task, and will practice the necessary measures to safely and efficiently inspect your roof. With the Florida hurricane season about to roll in, it pays to have your roof checked now to get it prepped and ready for what’s ahead.


2. Overlooking your gutters

It may seem like the gutters are a separate component to your roof system, but they’re not. When the gutters become congested by leaves and other debris, they allow rainwater to back up and overflow. A considerable amount of water may even find its way to the fascia board, deteriorating it and subjecting the space under your roof to moisture damage. If overlooked, this damage may extend to the roof structure, weakening it. When going for professional shingle roof maintenance this season, make sure the gutters are included in the process.


3. Putting off roof leak repair

 Asphalt shingles can be damaged in a number of ways. High winds can get under them and lift them up, loosening them just enough to be torn off in the next gale. Wind-blown debris, meanwhile, can damage the shingles upon impact, creating cracks and openings where water can leak inside. Knowingly ignoring the leaks resulting from these will cost you more in the long run. Have them dealt with promptly by turning to your local residential roofing company for repairs. Otherwise, those simple leaks will worsen and leave your home more susceptible to damage. 


4. Leaving debris to pile up on your asphalt shingle roof

The fact is the leaves and debris on the surface of your roof retain moisture, which encourages algae growth. Sunlight is not enough to get rid of these layers of fungi. They don’t just look unsightly; they can also accelerate the deterioration of your asphalt shingle roof. That’s why, if you spot debris on your roof, have them cleared immediately.


5. Not checking roof ventilation 

Your asphalt shingle roof will need sufficient ventilation to keep it in good shape. Without it, heat and moisture will build up in the space underneath the system, allowing mold and mildew to develop in the rafters. It doesn’t end there: the trapped heat can also bake the shingles overhead, causing them to age prematurely.


Why You Should Leave Your Roof Maintenance to Us

Finding a trusted roof repair and maintenance company to deal with your needs is actually pretty simple. You can either go online and browse for possible roofers or do it the old-school way by asking family and friends for local referrals. The latter, in fact, is usually more reliable because it can provide you with a better and more accurate idea of how a given roofing company does business. Either way, you’ll find the same name appearing at the top of the list – Total Roof Services Corp. 

We are one of the top roofing companies in the area, specializing in the installation, repair and maintenance of asphalt shingle systems. You can always count on us to deliver the best results because:


We are fully qualified

Total Roof Services Corp. has all the necessary licenses, bond and insurance, including workers’ compensation and liability coverage, for your greater protection. We won’t hesitate to show you proof of our credentials should you need to see them.


We are experienced

For 10 years, Total Roof Services Corp. has provided homeowners in the Central Florida area with top-tier solutions to all their roofing needs. Do you need emergency roof repair? Our quick response team will be there shortly. Does your roof need a checkup? All it takes is one phone call, and we’ll be there to accurately determine its overall condition.


Our friendly yet professional team has what it takes to repair and maintain your asphalt shingle roof, ensuring it can continue delivering the superior weather protection you’ve come to expect. We don’t cut corners, but just provide exceptional roofing work done right the first time. Few roofers can provide the same attention to detail and personalized service that Total Roof Services Corp. can.


We are proven 

Total Roof Services Corp. is a GAF Certified Master Elite® roofing company, so you get access to some of the highest quality asphalt shingle roofing systems available today – along with the extensive warranty coverage included with them. Not only that: we maintain an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau and continue to receive five-star reviews on Google My Business from pleased clients. 




When in need of high-quality roofing services – whether it involves emergency roof repair or preventive maintenance – look no further than Total Roof Services Corp. We’ll help you get the most of your asphalt shingle roof’s service life and performance through our professional solutions. We proudly serve Orlando and all the areas in Central Florida. Call us today at (407) 495-4151.

By Marissa Robinson 05 Aug, 2023
When homeowners are getting a roof replacement project done, some contractors are a bit surprised when they realize that some homeowners don’t pay much attention to their roof’s ventilation. After all, proper ventilation does offer plenty of benefits to your roof and your home, especially if you live in an area that experiences as much heat as Florida does. As such, it’s highly recommended that you learn the importance of having proper roof ventilation in your home. Here’s why Florida homeowners should never skimp out on roofing ventilation systems.  They Keep Your Home Cool Roof vents are good tools to use if you want to control the temperature around your home. If you live in an area as hot as Florida, they can help you keep your home cool by preventing your attic and the rest of your home from retaining hot air and heating up, making your living space cooler and comfortable in the process. Apart from that, since poorly ventilated homes will force you to crank up your AC unit, having proper roof ventilation can help you keep utility costs down by reducing your reliance on your air conditioner. They Protect Your Roof Apart from keeping your home cool and reducing the costs of your monthly energy bills, proper roofing ventilation can also help you preserve the roof of your Florida home and help it last for a significant amount of time. This is because, with correct ventilation, the excess heat and moisture that becomes trapped in your attic can escape, preventing it from baking the shingles inside out. Planning to improve your roof’s ventilation? Simply turn to Total Roof Services Corp,. the number one pros to approach when it comes to storm damage roof repair and commercial roofing services. Give us a call at (407) 495-4151 to schedule a free consultation today!
By Marissa Robinson 05 Aug, 2023
When it comes to the topic of residential roofing projects, you’ll be pleased to learn that you have a wide range of choices when it comes to the material. After all, as the homeowner, you’re more than free to choose between materials like asphalt, slate and even concrete tile. However, while each material has its own sets of advantages and disadvantages, and each are considered green roofing options to a certain degree, there is another green roofing material that you shouldn’t forget to consider: metal roofs. Believe it or not, despite the fact that they’re more commonly associated with barns and industrial buildings, metal roofs have been considered a green roofing option by the roofing industry for a while now. But why are these considered green options? 1. Metal Roofs Are Energy-Efficient According to roofing industry pros, metal roofs are considered a green roofing option for one obvious reason: they’re energy-efficient when properly installed in your home. This is because if a metal roof is properly installed in your home, and you choose one that has a light color, your roofing system can reflect solar heat, allowing you to reduce your monthly cooling costs by 10% to 25%. Apart from that, if you live in an area where cooling costs are higher than heating costs, and you decide to coat the metal roof with shiny or granular coatings, you can still maximize the roof’s reflective capabilities and improve your monthly energy savings even further. 2. They Can Be Recycled Even now, whenever homeowners decide to have their old residential roofing systems replaced, they often have their roofing contractor dispose of it in a landfill, adding further to the trash that is already there and further harming the environment in the process. This is where metal roofs become a green roofing option as, when the time comes your metal roof has to be replaced, metal recycling outlets will be more than willing to take your old roof in and repurpose it for different use. This prevents your metal roof from winding up in a landfill and harming the environment even further. 3. They Can Be Installed Over Existing Roofing Systems Apart from being recyclable, metal roofing systems are also considered green roofing options because they can be installed over your existing roofing system so long as your local building codes allow it. Again, this helps you avoid tearing off your old roof and disposing of them in a landfill, helping you protect the environment as a result. However, keep in mind that doing so can cause a whole host of problems, such as trapped moisture, so it’s best that you install a vented metal roof with the aid of a professional roofing company. 4. Metal Roofs Are Impervious to Fire, Rot and Pest Damage Alternatively, the roofing industry also considers metal roofs as green roofing options due to the fire, rot and pest resistance that they have. This means that if you live in an area that’s prone to wildfires, and you have a metal roof, there’s a high chance that your metal roof can stay intact even when the wildfire affects your home. Thanks to its pest and rot resistance, on the other hand, your roof can also last longer before needing a replacement, once again letting you avoid contributing to landfills that can harm the environment. 5. They’re Incredibly Durable and Long Lasting Finally, roof repair and replacement experts also say that the roofing industry considers metal roofs as green roofing options for the sole fact that they’re incredibly durable. Believe it or not, there’s hardly anything that can actually threaten a metal roof that’s properly installed, and, with the proper maintenance, this same durability allows a metal roofing system to last longer compared to your average roofing material. This lets you avoid having to replace your roof immediately, reducing the amount of trash that you contribute to your local landfill. How to Find the Best Metal Roofing Contractor for Your Project Replacing your old roof with a new metal roofing system is a complicated home improvement project that homeowners should never attempt to do on their own. Instead, you should make it a point to find the best metal roofing contractor to get the job done. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can accomplish this. For instance, you can always ask for trusted referrals from a friend, neighbor or family member who recently had a metal roof installed. If this isn’t an option, on the other hand, you can always reach out to the metal roof manufacturer or roofing organizations and associations for any suggestions and recommendations. On the other hand, if you want to find a metal roofing contractor on your own, you’re always more than free to look for one on the Internet. If you opt for this option, you can always do a quick Google search or visit websites such as Angie’s List® or the Better Business Bureau to find a contractor that specializes in installing metal roofing systems. Once you’ve picked a few companies, check the reviews of previous clients to see if they have any history of unresolved complaints. After you’ve narrowed down your options even further, you can now meet with your potential contractors to interview them, discuss terms and receive estimates from them. After you’ve received the estimates, pick one that agrees with your budget the most so you can finally have your new metal roofing system installed. Looking for someone who can perform an emergency roof repair project for your home? Look no further than the experts of Total Roof Services Corp. to get the job done. With a decade’s worth of experience in the roofing industry, we are committed to giving homeowners like you only the best when it comes to products and customer service. Give us a call at (407) 495-4151
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