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CAUSES OF SHINGLE ROOF DETERIORATION
Your home works hard to protect you, but without a roof, it would be to no avail. Having a roof over your head keeps you safe from freezing winters, scorching summers, wind, hail, rain, and more. Without a roof, you’d be susceptible to all of this and the dangers that come with. That’s why taking care of your roof is so important. Unfortunately, damages do happen and when they do, they weaken the structural integrity of your roof. To make sure your roof stays in good condition, you need to pay attention to your shingles. If they’re deteriorating, it could be a sign of further damage. But why exactly are your shingles deteriorating?
Signs of Shingle Roof Deterioration
If you’re going to be making home inspections on your own, you need to know what to look for. Start on the inside of your attic and check for any signs of damage or light sources entering your home. Light peeking through means there is damage and the longer you wait, the worse it will get. Once you check the inside, you’ll need to get on your roof to inspect the outer parts of your roof, primarily your shingles and flashing. During the inspection, look for any signs of damage. Call a professional roofing company if you notice any of the following:
Damaged Flashing
Flashing lines your roof and helps prevent water from seeping into places it shouldn’t. It’s made of metal sheeting and is installed on your roof when it’s first constructed. Over time, due to natural wear and tear, flashing can get damaged. Most commonly, this occurs around your chimney. If you notice any signs of damaged flashing, it’s important to get it fixed to avoid major water damage.
Rotting Shingles
Rotting shingles will be noticeable. They look similar to if something that was alive started to rot. If you notice any rotting shingles, get them fixed and have a professional inspection done to ensure that the problems aren’t deeper than the surface level. Rotting tends to be “contagious,” so it might end up being easier to replace all of your shingles.
Blistering Shingles
Shingles can take on a blistering look if they’re damaged. In this case, the surfaces look like they’re almost bubbling out. This is from a buildup of moisture or excess gas. Blistered shingles can occur for many reasons and are worsened by extreme sun exposure.
Decaying Shingles
As time passes, things decay—it’s a natural. Decaying shingles are usually easy to spot and should be replaced when you notice them. If you notice that your roof is aging poorly and you haven’t replaced it in decades, you should consider replacing the whole thing.
Curling Singles
If shingles are curling, they will look like they’re lifting up off of your roof. This commonly happens when they’re installed improperly, subject to excessive dryness, or made from poor quality materials. Curling shingles will expose your home, so they need to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Missing Shingles
Another sign of shingle roof deterioration is when there are missing shingles. This is another obvious and easy to spot problem during an inspection. If there aren’t any shingles protecting your roof, it will be subject to structural damage.
Causes of Shingle Roof Deterioration
Now that you know what to look for regarding signs of shingle roof deterioration, it’s important to understand the underlying causes. Below are a few of the most common causes of shingle roof deterioration.
Intense Winds
Strong winds lift up your shingles and can rip them off of your roof. At the very least, they’ll leave them curled and susceptible to damage. Wind creates vulnerabilities that can lead to even deeper damages, so you need to inspect your roof after heavy storms. The edges are the most susceptible to damages from strong or intense winds, but if the storm is bad enough, your whole roof could be at risk. There’s not much you can do about intense winds except for taking a proactive approach afterwards by having an inspection done.
Excessive Sunlight
We all love sunlight. It’s calming and puts you in a good mood. However, excessive rays of sunlight will damage your roof over time. In fact, UV rays and relentless sunshine is one of the most common reasons for shingle damage. The intensity of the sun will cause shingles to deteriorate faster than usual, especially if you’re in an area with strong UV light or radiation. Try opting for a lighter shade of shingles when you need to replace your roof to combat excessive sunshine. The lighter the color of your roof, the less heat it will retain and the slower the shingles will deteriorate.
Poor Attic Ventilation
Heat from the inside of your home can also cause shingle deterioration. When your attic isn’t properly ventilation, heat gets trapped and starts to rise to the ceiling. The longer you have poor attic ventilation, the more heat will buildup. The more heat that accumulates, the more likely it is for the underside of your shingles to burn. This eventually leads to prematurely curled shingles. To make sure you avoid these problems, check your attic ventilation. You might need to make some updates to get the most out of your roofing system.
Rain, Snow, Hail, or Ice
It’s no surprise that consistent bouts of rain, snow, hail, or ice will cause damage to your shingles. Not only will the pressure and impact affect the shingles, the moisture will cause damage over time. Built up moisture leads to mold and mildew along with rotting and insulation damage. To reduce the damages from rain, snow, hail, and ice, make sure that your shingles are in the best condition possible year-round. Take special care during the winter months as the melting and re-freezing of ice can lead to ice dams, which contribute to major structural damage.
Trees or Shrubbery
Another common cause of shingle damage is excessive trees or shrubbery. When you don’t maintain your tree branches, they’ll start to grow over the top of your roof. The limbs brush against the shingles and during severe weather this can even cause punctures. Throughout fall months, leaves will accumulate on your roof and cause problems for your gutter system, which then backs up water. The backed up water will need a place to go and will eventually seep into the shingles. This leads to rot or structural instability. Luckily, this is an easily preventable step. Just make sure you do landscaping regularly and trim back any low hanging trees. Every now and then, get on a ladder and clean out your gutters to ensure that there is proper drainage.
Lichen
Lichen is essentially a type of moss or algae. If you don’t upkeep your roof, it will grow. When lichen grows on your shingles, they’re more susceptible to rot. The problem here isn’t necessarily moisture retention. Instead, it’s the acidity of lichen itself. High levels of acid will eat through the shingles and make your roof more susceptible to damages.
Dry Rot On Roofs: Causes, Common Signs And Prevention
Your roof is essential to your home and family’s protection against weather extremes and harsh outdoor elements. Keeping up with maintenance and being proactive when it comes to the needs of your roof can help you avoid serious issues, such as dry rot. This problem can compromise the structural integrity of your roof, making it prone to collapse.
