Proper Disposal of Asphalt Roofing Shingles

Proper Disposal of Asphalt Roofing Shingles

Over time, the need for roofing replacements and the removal of your aged shingle roof is necessary. With the removal and replacement of your asphalt shingles comes the need to dispose of these items as well. Since the use of asphalt shingles for roofing is one of the most common roofing options, there is a need to get rid of thousands of tons of used asphalt shingles each year. While the easiest option is to pack them all up into a big sack and throw them away in your local landfill, there are many other ways you can go about it.

Asphalt Shingle Recycling

The growing need to develop more environmentally friendly products and disposal methods is growing. The simplest way to reduce your trash is to recycle – and that includes recycling your old asphalt shingles. Although the shingles are only reliable as a roofing cover for 50-60 years, maybe 80-90 years with proper maintenance, but the shingles are actually able to last a while longer and can take up to 400 years to break down.

One of the most common methods of recycling used shingles is to use the asphalt component in pavement and hot-mix asphalt. The addition of the recycled shingles is actually really effective in strengthening the cement material. Recycled shingles are now commonly put to use in public road projects.

Another great advantage of this is that it also lessens the need for newer materials.

Donate Your Use Shingles

You might be opting for a roof replacement before your asphalt shingles reach their prime. Instead of throwing away your used roofs, you could give it to a family in need. There are many charity housing projects who accept reusable asphalt shingles to put on new homes. This is a decision that you’ll have to think of early on, however, since you’ll need to inform your roofing contractor to take extra care in removing the old shingles so as to preserve the quality.

Throw Away

Unfortunately, there are some roofing shingles that can’t be recycled or donated. You’ll have to check with the recycling facility or the construction committee in charge of the housing project if there are any guidelines to determine whether your used roof shingles make the cut. If they don’t, then you will have to throw them away. An Easier way to go about this is to get a dumpster that you can fill up with used shingles as you or a contractor starts on the removal.

If you’ve been advised to replace your roof because of an asbestos problem, you should not try to do the removal. You also shouldn’t keep that information from your contractor. Asbestos is a harmful substance and the people removing your shingles should be aware and should come from the right authority. Asbestos-contaminated shingles also need to be disposed of in a different manner. You’ll have to contact the proper authorities and let them handle it to ensure you, your family, and your contractor team’s safety.

When do I need to throw away old roof shingles?

Eventually, your old roof will need to be replaced and you’ll have to throw those old shingles away or find a way to recycle or reuse them. For some homeowners, it can be difficult to tell whether their roofs need a full replacement or just a few repairs. If a replacement is necessary, the old shingles definitely need to be removed and disposed of.

These are a few signs that will help you know when you need to replace your roof shingles.

• Curled or cupped shingle edges are signs that these shingles need to be replaced. Sometimes there are only a few shingles in a localized area. At other times, there could be scattered sets of shingles in need of replacement. Asphalt shingles with bald spots.
• Bald spots on your asphalt roof shingles are signs that granules are missing. In this case, you will definitely need to replace those worn out parts. The granules give the shingles a protective layer. Without that protection, water or moisture is likely to seep in and cause severe damage.
• Cracked asphalt shingles need no further explanation. Any cracks on your roof warrant a replacement as soon as possible. The presence of dark streaks around your roof shingles is a sign that algae are growing on them. While these can be removed with some water and bleach, if there are multiple areas that have already been affected, replacement may be necessary.
• Moss growth on asphalt roof shingles. Moss is likely to spread. If you can catch this early, then you might give your roof a bit more time before they need to be replaced. However, if they have been left to spread, it can become almost impossible to totally get rid of it. In this case, replacing your roof may become your only option.

There are different signs that you’ll need to get a roof replacement and, in turn, need to find a way to dispose of your roof shingles. In order to get the best out of your roofing system, making sure that you get the best team to work on your roofing Huntsville AL is important.

 

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