Weather damage is the number one motivator for homeowners to repair or replace their roof, and for good reason. Bad weather can cause and exacerbate a whole slew of problems for your home including broken and damaged shingles.
As a crucial weather-proofing layer, roofing shingles provide essential protection against the elements: they decrease heat absorption by reflecting the sun’s rays, protect the home against impacts from hail or flying debris and serve as an overlapping barrier against rain, snow and ice. It’s important to repair and replace your shingles to prevent water from seeping into your attic, ceiling and surrounding walls. Roofing shingles are the first layer of protection against water damage; unprotected spots that become exposed due to missing or damaged shingles are now vulnerable to roof leaks.
Cracked or missing shingles may be easy to spot. But it may be more difficult for the untrained eye to detect rotting or decaying shingles.
Bald and Curling Shingles
Shingles curl up due to trapped moisture, most likely from inadequate attic ventilation. Over time curling from the heat and moisture reduces their lifespan in the following ways, by:
- Rendering them susceptible to mold
- Allowing rain underneath their edges
- Increasing the likelihood of winding ripping them off the roof altogether
Bald shingles are when the granules have fallen off the shingle, meaning it now has less protection against heat absorption and damage from debris. Balding is common in older shingles but it can also be a sign that your shingles have been moist or wet for too long and are in danger of falling off your roof.
Crumbling or Tearing Shingles
A new asphalt shingle roof has an ROI of approximately 62%. These asphalt shingles are made from a core of cellulose and they’re covered with asphalt for protection. With older roofs, consistent exposure to high humidity and moisture, whether due to the regional climate or simply poor attic ventilation, can contribute to roof rot. When an asphalt shingle is rotting, the outer layer of asphalt will disintegrate because of water damage. This causes the rest of the shingle to gradually fall apart, leaving the exposed sections of roof compromised. You’re likely dealing with rotting or decaying shingles if your roofing shingle falls apart or easily tears in your hands.
Missing or Broken Shingles
As mentioned above, rotting shingles easily tear apart because their outer layer of asphalt has disintegrated away. When these shingles are on your roof, they can fall away or go missing even in mild weather. Inspect your shingles closely if you find some of them on the ground. This could be a major warning that your roof is starting to decay.
Are you dealing with rotting or decaying shingles? It may be time to contact a professional roofing contractor for a home roof repair. Select Construction offers roofing maintenance, repairs and replacements when you need it. To schedule an inspection or for roofing damage repair, contact Select Construction today.