MLM_LOGO_RALPH _FINAL

Summer in April: What does that mean for your roof?

With the calendar in the final week of April, a wide stretch of the nation will be privy to a summer preview for a few days as a warm front moves west to east. Places from Chicago to New York will all get in on the taste of summer and some cities could see daily temperature records challenged. Meanwhile, big cities along the I-95 corridor, like Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, could make a run at 90 degrees. While a warm front is exciting for those looking forward to summer weather, what does this heat mean for your roof?
The biggest weather concerns for our roof include winter weather conditions, heavy rains, hail storms and high winds; but what about heat? Unusually high temperatures can be an issue for a few different reasons:
1. UV Rays
Firstly, UV rays can actually cause damage. This can happen even when it’s cloudy. These rays can make the oils and materials in your roof dry out and ultimately crack which will lead to costly repairs. Wood can get bleached by the sun and also weaken and crack. Asphalt shingles are also prone to buckle and split under high heat, especially if they haven’t been treated.
Solution: Luckily, there are products on the market that are able to defend against this issue. One product is Owens Corning Duration Premium Cool Shingles that are built to reflect solar energy, which helps keep roofs cooler and decrease the amount of heat transferred to a home’s interior.
2. Unventilated attic
An unventilated attic can also exacerbate the problem and make damage more likely. This can also cause problems with condensation.
Solution: To achieve a balanced attic ventilation system, try to get a total amount of ventilation openings in square inches (referred to as Net Free Area) on your roof and under your eaves that are equal to the total square footage of your attic floor space.
3. Thermal shock
Thermal shock is when there is high temperature during the day and cold temperatures at night, which cause roof materials to expand and contract too quickly. While all roofs are built to expand and contract a certain amount, extreme heat during the day and cooler nights can make this expansion and contraction happen too quickly for the roof to be able to cope. This can result in a weakening of the roof’s structural integrity.
Solution: Because thermal shock is the result of cumulative damage, the top of a house should be inspected regularly for any damage. Small gaps created by movement should immediately be patched or replaced. Brittle shingles and panels should be replaced to prevent cracking.
Unlike one big storm, or a heavy wind, damage caused by high temperatures could take a long time before they are on your radar. This means, by the time this damage is noticeably visible-it could be too late to remedy the situation. If you’ve got an older roof or aren’t sure how old your roof is, make sure you lookout for some of the signs of heat damage so that you can make fixes rather than leave it to the point where costly repairs or replacements are needed.

 

Let MLM Help
If you believe your roof is damaged, let us come out for a free inspection! This is of no cost to you, but will give you peace of mind knowing what’s going on with your roof. Call us at 844-MLM-ROOF!
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
LinkedIn

Latest post

Need help?

Don't hesitate to contact us