Roofs are typically the strongest component of a house, which ensures that the family residing in it always stays protected from harsh weather. The roof works hard to prevent the heat of the scorching sun, heavy rainfall, hailstones, snow and more from entering the house. The roof also helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside the house 24/7.
Storms can damage roofs. Bad weather can blow off shingles or cause them to crack. The edges of shingles can curl up. Over time, shingles can have issues.
What are some common causes for deteriorating roof shingles?
#1 Severely Damaged Flashing:
Flashing lines are perfectly installed on the edges of the roof in order to prevent water from entering the roof and seeping inside the house. This kind of seepage causes damage to the ceiling and walls. But if the flashing lines are damaged due to natural wear and tear, they won’t be able to prevent water from seeping in through small gaps and entering the house. Water spreads around the chimney and in between the shingles. If and when water gets retained, it starts damaging the shingles. This water damage deteriorates the quality of the shingles over time.
#2 Uncontrolled Growth Of Moss And Mildew:
When water on the roof gets retained, it promotes the growth of moss and mildew. When moss and mildew spread across the entire roof, and cover the entire surface of the shingles, the shingles rot. This, in turn, deteriorates the quality of the shingles as well as their working efficiency. Rotting is extremely contagious, and within a short span of time all the shingles can get infected and no longer serve any purpose. If you ignore this issue, it can destroy the underlying layer of the roof as well.
#3 Presence Of Blisters On The Shingles:
When the shingles are damaged due to harsh weather, they start developing blisters on the surface. These blisters are filled with excessive water/moisture and even gas, which, in turn, will adversely affect the quality of the shingles. The blisters get worse if they are exposed to the scorching sun for a long period.
#4 Extremely Poor Ventilation Of The Attic Area:
An attic should have proper ventilation to remove air from the house and make the temperature inside the house quite comfortable. Besides this, attic ventilation also has another role to play. It helps keep the shingles dry and strong by removing water and moisture content. If the ventilation is not working properly, water/moisture content will get trapped inside the shingles and destroy them. Heat escaping from the house can also get trapped inside the shingles and cause a lot of problems to the entire roofing system.
#5 Excessive Sunlight Can Damage The Shingles:
When shingles are exposed to extreme heat and UV rays, they can deteriorate at a faster rate. When shingles are no longer able to fight against excessive sunlight, they will slowly develop cracks around their edges.
Summary:
There are many things that can destroy the quality of shingles and make them inefficient. If shingles aren’t working well, the roofing system can be damaged beyond repair. Ideally, roofs should be inspected and maintained regularly. If you have any issues with your shingles, or you’d like an expert opinion on how your shingles are doing, call Arko Companies at 763-434-2756.