A 90-degree day can raise the temperature on your roof to over 160 degrees. While it’s true that roofing shingles and materials are engineered to withstand the elements- there are many factors that play into this.
Although the summer sun and heat does cause damage to your roof, it doesn’t occur right away. It takes time (often years) to see the extent of the problems that are often created. If your roof is less than ten years old and your contractor installed a quality shingle- sun damage likely has not set in yet.
Here’s how summer heat can affect your roof:
Decreased Life of Your Roof
Your roof absorbs a lot of UV rays during the summer months. If your roof isn’t well-ventilated, these kinds of temperatures will cause heat to build up in your attic.
Discoloration
Before the sun’s strong UV rays completely break down an asphalt shingle, they may cause it to fade in color. If you notice that your shingles are starting to show signs of discoloration- it may be time to have your roof inspected.
Curling
As mentioned, temperature fluctuations can cause asphalt shingles to expand and contract- which sometimes leads to curling. Curling is also an indication of aging, as the shingles start to dry out and shrink. This leaves your shingles more susceptible to wind damage- including blow offs, or cracking.
Blisters
Sun exposure can cause trapped moisture beneath your asphalt shingles to rise to the surface, causing heat blisters. Like any blister, these can rupture and lead to vulnerable spots in your asphalt shingle roofing.
Thermal Shock/Cracking
The roof on your home reaches a very high temperature on a hot, sunny, summer day and then quickly cools back off when the sun sets in the evening. This drastic temperature swing causes your roofing materials to expand and contract. This repeated expansion and contraction can cause your roof’s structural integrity to weaken over time.
Asphalt shingles tend to become brittle after years of heat damage. Before they begin to break apart, however, you may find cracks near the edges or along the center of a shingle.
What you can do:
Ventilation
Ventilation is KEY! Ensure you have proper ventilation and attic insulation. When having your roof replaced, make sure to hire a knowledgeable roofing contractor. Intake and exhaust ventilation as well as attic insulation are vital when controlling the temperatures in your attic which help to prevent decreased lifespan of your roof. Lack of ventilation not only puts extra stress on your HVAC system, but it can also lead to condensation problems as well as premature aging of your roof and roofs decking.
While box roof vents work well, they can only offer so much ventilation. According to Air Vent “Where there’s space between the box vents, the air is not moving.” We recommend installing ridge vent. Ridge vent offers continuous air flow in your attic in conjunction with your intake ventilation (soffit vents or edge vents).
Annual Roof Inspection and Maintenance
Much like maintenance on your HVAC system, it’s important to have your roof checked annually by a qualified roofing contractor. By having your roof checked annually- the contractor will be able to spot warning signs and give you recommendations based on their assessment as well as provide you with a life expectancy of your roof. Annual roof maintenance also typically includes sealing all roof protrusions, addressing nail pops, and missing or damaged shingles, and check your chimneys flashing (for brick or stone chimneys).
Our team is highly skilled when it comes to your roof and ventilation. Call an expert today! We’re happy to help.
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