Did The Summer Sun Damage Your Roof?

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As the summer season comes to a close, it's important to assess the condition of your home. Conducting a routine inspection now gives you time to invest in any repairs needed to protect your home against the winter elements. Pay close attention to your roof while giving your home the once-over. Exposure to intense sunlight during the summer months can put your roofing system at risk.

Learn more about spotting sun damage on your roof so that you can better maintain your roofing system in the future.

Warped Shingles

Too many homeowners think that warping is only caused by moisture damage. While exposure to moisture can certainly cause roofing shingles to warp, extreme heat can also cause the edges of your shingles to curl.

The heat of the summer sun causes shingles to expand during the day. When the sun goes down and temperatures drop at night, the shingles contract. This continual process of expansion and contraction can compromise the structural integrity of your shingles. You may notice that your roof takes on a wavy texture or that individual shingles start to curl up and away from the underlayment when sun damage has occurred.

A reputable roofing contractor will be able to assess the damage and make any repairs needed to prepare your roof for the coming winter.

Crumbling Shingles

Another tell-tale sign of sun damage is crumbling shingles on your roof. This crumbling can be attributed to the UV rays that are present in direct sunlight.

The sun's UV rays can actually start to break down the molecular bonds that exist within your roofing materials. The more deteriorated these molecular bonds become, the less structural integrity the shingle will retain. A UV-damaged shingle will eventually start to crumble and break apart. This leaves your home exposed to the damage that moisture infiltration can cause.

Your roofing contractor can evaluate the condition of your roof to determine if replacing damaged shingles is a viable option. If too many shingles have started to crumble as a result of UV and sun exposure, your contractor may suggest that you replace the entire roof with shingles that are better able to withstand the effects of UV light.

Bleached Shingles

Bleaching is one of the early signs of sun damage to your roof. The UV rays in sunlight can damage the particles that give shingles their color. This causes the color to fade and take on a bleached appearance over time.

Homeowners will often notice bleaching on areas of their roof that receive the most direct sunlight. Over time, the bleached sections will look completely different from the rest of the roof. This can be detrimental to the overall value of your home. Not only does bleaching indicate that the integrity of your roofing materials may be questionable, it seriously detracts from your home's curb appeal. The value of your home can plummet as a result.

Your roofing contractor can help you invest in new roofing materials that are better suited for the climate in which you live. Some roofing materials are made to withstand UV exposure. Others may be coated with protective granules that help minimize the negative effects of UV exposure.

Follow your contractor's recommendations if you need to replace a roof with bleached shingles.

The summer sun can take a toll on the health and beauty of your roof. It's important that you take the time to check for signs of sun damage so that you can work with an experienced contractor to repair any sun damage that might compromise the integrity of your roof when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

For more information, contact a local roofer.


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