The effects of heat on a shingle roof can be quite devastating and leave you with a hefty repair bill if the shingle has been damaged from prolonged exposure to the sun. This doesn’t even take into consideration the cost of heating and cooling your home if your roof isn’t performing as efficiently as it should. Across the East Coast people are getting ready for the summer, with warmer days and later evening daylight being extended, it has become time to dust off the barbecue and clean out the patio table and chairs, ready for the big heat. Down in Florida, summer is already here and the temperatures are rising.
Is your poor shingle roof up to the task ahead? Months and months of temperatures straying well into the 90s (and higher) can create havoc as the effects of heat on a shingle roof mean the shingles can buckle & curl allowing water in and your expensive cooling out. So what must you do to decide whether your shingle roof needs attention? First, you will need to do a brief inspection of your roof both from the inside and out.
Under no circumstances should you attempt any repairs on the roof as this is best left for the trained professionals. Roofing contractors that work high up in attics, outside slanted roofs and on gables have gone through weeks of safety training to make sure no mishaps occur when they are high up repairing, building, replacing or laying a new roof.
Attempting any roof repair yourself could be hazardous to your health and should not be considered if it’s something you’ve not done before. But what you can do is to perform a brief inspection of the roof from the ground to see whether a repair is necessary especially as the effects of heat on a shingle roof can be so devastating.
Roofing contractors and the industry recommends that homeowners check their roof at least twice a year, making sure one of those inspections comes after the summer has ended and we begin to move into the cooler months. This allows us to assess any effects of heat on a shingle roof following months of extreme temperatures over the summer months.
You can check the inside of your roof first. To do this; go up in the attic and look for damp spots, leaking or inadequate insulation. Check around chimneys and skylights for signs that the flashing has worn away and is allowing water in.
Check also for stains on internal ceilings and signs of damp on the walls. You can also monitor the outside for any rippling effect on the shingle, bumps or dips in the line of the roof or curling shingle edges. Anything like this and you might want to contact a professional and have them come do an inspection on your roof to find out if your roof is getting enough ventilation and whether or not it makes sense to repair or replace what you have with a more efficient roofing system.
If you see any of the above warning signs, please contact Roofing by Curry to set up an inspection and your free estimate. Why worry – call Curry!
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