You may suspect that heat and humidity do a number on your roof, but do you know why? Here’s why extreme heat can actually damage your roof.
Condensation Damage
When you take a shower without using a ventilation fan, condensation forms in the bathroom. Over time, the condensation damages paint or wallpaper, causes peeling, and even causes water damage, mold, or mildew. Let this be a lesson to you: humidity can cause similar damage to your roof. Humid weather encourages condensation, just like the shower. That condensation can settle underneath the shingles, leading to leaks and water damage.
The best solution is weatherproofing to keep condensation from forming.
Aging Roofs
Just like sunlight fades furniture, it can degrade your roofing material. Over time, high levels of sun exposure cause damage to the roof. When roofs take on excess damage, the wood underneath could develop water damage. If you notice shingles wearing down, buckling, or peeling, have your roof checked out. A shingle roof typically lasts for up to twenty years, so if your roof is getting close to the end of its lifespan, consider replacing the roof rather than hoping it will last through another summer.
Thermal Shock
Thermal shock, which refers to the natural expansion and contraction of materials, occurs in times of weather extremes. In the summer, materials swell. In the winter, materials contract. This cycle of expansion and contraction causes premature aging and can sometimes decrease the lifespan of a roof. The older your roof gets, the greater the risk that summertime swelling will lead roofing materials to split or crack. This would compromise their integrity and could encourage the development of additional problems, such as roof leaks.
Now that you understand the potential problems roofs face in summer months, how do you protect against the harmful consequences of heat? The best defense is a good offense, which starts with regularly checking the roofing system for warning signs. From the ground, walk around the exterior of your home to inspect the roof from all angles. If you notice damaged or missing shingles, give us a call. If you know your roof is getting old, consider having it replaced before the aging roof fails. Financing options increase the affordability of roofing work.
To get an estimate for roof repair or roof replacement, or to talk more about summer roofing issues, contact us now.
