Many Arizonians have the right idea – they come to Phoenix for the warm winter months and go back north when the heat and weather are extreme in the summer. This may be the ideal for people, but your home has to manage Mother Nature’s mood swings all year long. When you’re ready to install a new roof on your home it’s important to consider how long it will last, knowing Arizona weather conditions.
Why Is the Weather a Concern?
Arizona doesn’t see much annual rainfall, so you may not realize the stress that your roof undergoes each season. Although it is true that water is one of the forces of nature that threatens the structural integrity of your home, the extreme heat causes your roof to expand and contract. This makes the material on your roof deteriorate faster. Strong sand storms, known as haboobs, are another concern in Arizona. Wind is damaging enough, but when you add the fine silt of sand it can do twice as much destruction.
Types of Roofing Materials
Choosing the material for your roof depends on a number of factors, and you should discuss your needs with one of our professional roofers at Scott Roofing Company to understand which type of roofing material would work best for your style and budget. These are some of the most common materials and how long they may last with proper care:
• Asphalt – 20 to 40 years
• Wood – 15 to 20 years
• Tile – 20 to 30 years (tiles will last much longer, the underlayment will need replacement first)
• Foam – 10 to 15 years
However, it’s not just the roofing material on top of your home that you have to be concerned with. For example, on a tile roof, tar paper is placed beneath the tiles as another barrier of protection. It dries out and needs to be replaced in 10 to 12 years, which makes maintenance an important part of ensuring your new roof lasts.
Roof Maintenance
Once you have installed your roof, a good way to make it last longer is to inspect it regularly. Clean your rain gutters monthly so that debris doesn’t build up and cause the water to flow irregularly. Do a roof inspection about every three months to watch for loose tiles or shingles and other damages after a storm. After the monsoon season, clean your roof and have repairs made. Keep tree branches away from the roof by cutting them when they are close because when they sway during a storm, they can cause significant damage. Another item to look for is pigeon debris, which can eat away at roofing materials. Pigeons can also peck at foam roofs and make small holes in the process. Get a professional inspection annually from one of our trusted professionals to catch problems early. Your roof is vital to your home, so let us help you take care of it.
