With over 80% of the homes in the US using shingle roofs, they remain one of the most popular roofing choices to date. Major reasons for their wide adoption are their attractiveness and high resistance to damage against elements like hail storms, strong winds, and many others. Shingle roofs can last very long, provided you install and maintain them properly. However, this doesn’t mean shingle roofs aren’t prone to damage from time to time. In this blog post, we will talk about the 5 most prevalent shingles issues to look out for.
5 Most Prevalent Shingles Issues
It is important to identify the possible issues your roof shingles may encounter. This will enable you to understand what roofing repairs you will need from time to time. Here are 5 of the most prevalent shingle issues you may need to look out for:
· Erosion of the layers of the shingle
Generally, shingles are usually built with a ceramic top layer and a paper or fiberglass foundation. The ceramic granules at the upper layer are the most important elements that protect the roof from harsh weather elements such as rain and snow.
Unfortunately, the ceramic layer cannot fully resist the impact of other weather conditions like extreme heat and thunderstorms. For instance, when the hail falls, it hits the shingle, knocking layers of granules from the roof.
Over time, the impact of the hail on the protective granules causes the shingle to break down gradually. At this point, you will begin to see a change in the color of your roof due to granular loss.
Aside from the effect of hails, insufficient insulation may also tear away layers of your shingle. When the temperatures of the roof tiles increase, the shingles may melt in the heat, causing the granules to tear away piece by piece.
Solution
Make use of shingles that can resist the weather conditions in your area. For instance, you should pick a shingle with a high-wind warranty if you live in a region with high winds. T
The wind rating of a dimensional shingle, often laminated or architectural, is 110–130 mph. Hence, you should never use a 3-tab shingle because its wind rating is only 60 mph.
An impact-resistant shingle can also be a perfect pick if you reside in a region that is susceptible to hail or even only occasionally encounters a hailstorm.
· Shrinking and warping due to exposure to heat
Heat is a major constituent of the problems shingles encounter. For instance, if the atmospheric temperature is around 90 degrees Fahrenheit with bright sunlight, the surface temperature of the shingles will most likely be 40 to 60 degrees hotter.
It may also be about 130 to 150 degrees higher than the outside temperature. The heat combined with an improperly vented attic area has the highest heat-related impact on shingles. After about 10 to 15 years, the heat-related combination can begin to show obvious effects on the shingle.
This disintegration will appear as blisters, edge curling, or cracking in the shingles.
Solution
The best way to solve this problem is to ventilate your roof properly. You can contact us at Roofpro if you are unsure how to ventilate your roof.
· Blistering due to weather conditions, especially in the summer
Blistering is another frequent issue that may affect shingles. One quick way to identify signs of blistering is t bald areas on the roof. Another thing you should take note of is that issues of blistering mostly occur due to high temperatures. Hence, your shingles are more likely to be affected during the summer.
The blistering process is a gradual one. Throughout the summer, the granular layer on the roof will hold moisture underneath the upper layer. When the granular traps more moisture than it can hold, the pressure forces the shingles to crack open, leaving bare spots.
One case that enhances blistering is when you use insulation on your roof. Low-quality roofing materials are also another contributing factor.
Solution
The best thing you can do to tackle this issue is to ensure that you build with high-quality roof materials.
· Limited installation temperatures
One mistake that leads to another common issue with shingles is improper installation. Ideally, you should install shingles under a temperature of at least forty degrees Fahrenheit above ambient temperature. This automatically means that building a shingle roof from January through March is not advisable.
It shouldn’t even be an option for houses in many parts of the country where temperatures rarely rise beyond 30 degrees. Installing roof shingles in chilly temperatures may result in problems later on.
Shingles will eventually tear off because they were never properly sealed enough for the tar strip to lay completely flat on the roof deck. So generally, shingles dislike flexing when it is cold outside.
Moreover, sometimes shingles usually come with curvatures from the manufacturer’s site. These shingles won’t straighten if you don’t install them in the presence of heat.
Solution
The best thing you can do to tackle this challenge is to inspect your roof early before the winter season. Try as much as you can to avoid installing at cold temperatures.
If the current temperature is below the 40-degree point, it will be more profitable to hold off on the installation. Postpone the installation until the temperatures become warm to extend the lifespan of your roof as much as possible.
· Mildew, mold growth, and dark algae stains
Mold, algae, and mildew growth are issues that mainly tamp aesthetic concerns for homeowners. They typically leave unsightly black color streaks on the roof. One major factor that enhances the growth of molds, algae, and mildew is high humidity. Sadly, excessive mold and mildew growth can cause water to build up on the roof. This wetness can result in different issues, such as blistering and cracking.
Solution
Though solutions are limited in this regard, there are professional roofing companies that specialize in the removal of algae. You can contact one of these types of companies for them to help you get rid of algae by spraying your roof and rinsing the microbial off.
Another alternative is to replace the roof with a new one. However, this is a more costly approach. Lastly, you can decide to do nothing to the algae.
Conclusion
Shingles are a common roofing material, but they can have several issues. Be sure to watch out for these five problems: leaks, loose shingles, curling shingles, granules in the gutters, and sunlight through the attic. If you see any of these signs, it’s time to call a professional. At Roofpro, we specialize in shingle repair and replacement. We’re happy to come to take a look at your roof and give you a free estimate. Give us a call today!