3 Ways Nature Can Cause Damage To Your Asphalt Shingle Roof
Posted on: 7 October 2020
No matter what kind of roofing material you have on your home, your roof can sustain damage from natural forces. However, an asphalt roof is not quite as durable as metal or stone, so you should monitor your roof for signs of damage so a roofing contractor can make repairs when they're needed. Here are three natural causes of roof damage and the repairs your roof may need because of them.
1. Sun Exposure Can Deteriorate Asphalt Shingles
There's not a lot you can do to protect your roof from the sun. The sun will gradually wear down asphalt shingles due to the heat and UV ray exposure. Sun exposure causes the oil in the shingles to evaporate, and the shingles get brittle as a result. This leads to cracking and leaking.
Heat can also damage shingles and cause them to curl. You might be able to control the heating of your roof somewhat by having a roofing contractor improve attic ventilation so your attic doesn't get so hot. You can also protect against UV exposure in a small way by protecting your roof against unnecessary granule loss.
Asphalt shingles have a layer of granules that protect the shingles from sun exposure. Granules can get swept off by tree branches, so keep trees away from your roof to avoid this problem.
A roofing contractor can make repairs to shingles as your roof ages so you can put off buying a new roof as long as possible, but eventually, an asphalt roof has to be replaced because of the aging effects of sun exposure.
2. Hail Can Crack Shingles
Hail can be very damaging to asphalt shingles depending on the size of the hailstones and the impact rating of your roofing. Small hail may not cause any harm, but large hail can destroy your roof. All you may see are dents where the hail landed, but the shingles can be ruined and start leaking in the future.
Have a roofing contractor check your roof after a hailstorm so damage can be identified early and reported to your insurance company. Your insurance company may pay for a roof replacement when asphalt shingles have been damaged by hail.
3. Moss Can Cause Your Roof To Rot
When you see growth on your roof, consider calling a roofing contractor to identify the growth and advise you on how to deal with it. Algae makes black stains on asphalt shingles, but it is often just a cosmetic problem. Moss, on the other hand, can lead to roof damage.
Moss holds moisture against the roof and it grows under the shingles. This damages the shingles and the deck underneath them, so moss needs to be removed to protect your roof. Any growing plants on your roof should be removed to prevent roof damage, and you may even want to have algae removed to improve the appearance of your roof as long as it can be done without harming the shingles.
For more information, contact a company like Queston Construction Inc.
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