Summer weather is hard on your shingles. That same heat and humidity that saps your energy can cause premature roof aging. Learn how sun exposure affects an asphalt roof and what you should do about it.
How the Sun Causes Roof Damage
It’s strange to think about the sun damaging your roof, since sun exposure is a normal environmental factor. Perhaps it’s more accurate to say that it’s UV exposure that damages the roof. As the sun beams, UV rays bore down on your shingles. Longer summer days mean greater exposure time, which places your shingles at risk of cracking and reduces their lifespan.
Heat waves worsen the impact and may cause shingles to warp. Once shingles warp, they lose their tight seal with the roof, which means that water could seep in through the raised shingles.
When it’s hot out, you’re more likely to blast the air conditioner so the inside of the house stays cool. When humidity is high and you’re running the air conditioner (so the inside of your house is cooler than outside), condensation can build up on the roof. Over time, this might cause water damage–which could lead to mold and mildew.
If those hot summer days are followed by cool nights, your shingles could suffer thermal shock. This damages their lifespan as well as their structural integrity.
How to Protect Your Roof From Summer Heat
You can’t control the weather, but you can control heat-related roofing damage in a few ways.
First, have your roof inspected once a year. Fall is actually a great time for roof inspection, because you can fix any summer-related shingle damage while double-checking that the roof is in great shape going into the winter months.
Second, when it comes time for new roofing installations, make sure you hire a reputable roofer who understands the damage heat can cause and who uses waterproof materials. Professional roofers understand the impact of weather on roofs, and they use the right materials for the climate, for better roof performance over time.
Get your roof checked out, so you know whether you need to invest in roofing repair related to heat damage. At Brandstetter’s KangaRoof, we offer Cincinnati homeowners free estimates on roofing repair and replacement. Our services include roofing repair, roofing inspections, and gutter cleaning. Call now for your free estimate: 513.713.0418.
