Did Winter Storm Octavia leave you looking for a new shingle roof?

The winter of 2015 was particularly rough on Nashville roofs. According to the Weather Channel, February 2015 in Nashville was the coldest month in over 35 years. There were seven different snow events from early January to early March 2015. And in mid-February, Winter Storm Octavia brought middle Tennessee its worst ice storm in twenty years. Roof damage from ice, hail and snow storms cause more than $1.6 billion worth of damage each year to U.S. homes, according to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes. 

How to tell if a winter ice storm has damaged your roof

If your roof is not too sloped, climb up and take a look for missing, creased or split shingles. A circular area where shingle material is missing is a sign of ice damage. If you have 10 hits in a 10 ft. square,  your roof probably needs replacing.  Check in and around your driveway, gutters and downspouts for shingle mineral deposits or tile granules. Granules protect the asphalt layer under your shingles from UV damage and losing them indicates excessive damage or aging of your roof.

Why asphalt shingles?

Why is asphalt used in roofing shingles? First and foremost, asphalt acts as a waterproofing agent. Asphalt is also used in roofing shingles because it holds the granules on shingles in place and adds strength to the roofing shingle. Asphalt also stays flexible and won't dry out or become brittle. 

There are three types of asphalt shingles: Strip, Dimentional and Premium.  

Strip asphalt roofing shingles have a single layer and look like slate. They are usually the lightest weight asphalt shingles, and used on many economy priced homes or as a replacement shingle on homes that already use strip shingles.   Dimensional asphalt roofing shingles are multi-layered and have a thicker appearance. They usually last longer and come with a longer warranty. Premium asphalt shingles are laminated and are made to look like old world roofing materials like slate and shake shingles. 

Top benefits of shingle roofs

There are many benefits to installing a shingle roof, including:

1. Cost. Because of the low upfront costs, many homeowners favor asphalt roof shingles. 
2. Variety. Asphalt shingles are manufactured in many different colors and patterns and as discussed earlier, come in three profiles. 
3. Ease of installation. Unlike other roofing materials, asphalt shingles don't require any special training or tools or major preparation work to install. Because asphalt is lightweight, they also don't require any additional structural support. 

Mike Ragan Roofing specializes in asphalt shingle roofing, emergency roof repair, roof improvements,  membrane roofing, standing seam metal roofing, copper roofing and gutters.  We service Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, Wilson, Sumner, Cheatham, and Robertson, Tennessee.

If your roof suffered damage from Winter Storm Octavia or is just getting older, consider contacting Mike Ragan Roofing by visiting our website athttp://www.raganroofing.com, calling us at 615-350-6300 or by visiting us in office at 700 42nd Ave., North, Nashville, TN 37209.