Roof Sun Damage
Roofs are exposed to the harmful effects of weather every day. While elements such as snow, hail and rain can cause major damage, the number one enemy of any roof is the sun. A homeowner’s roof is in a battle for survival against the sun every day. The best defense against this kind of damage is to hire a Middletown roofing professional to perform basic summer maintenance. Here is a look at the types of sun damage that experts look out for.
The first and most common damage from the sun’s harmful rays is constant heat. The roofs of homes that are located in hot climates will fall victim to extreme heat, which results in the roofing materials breaking down faster. One of the first signs of a roof decomposing because of extreme heat is cracking. Once cracking sets in, moisture has an easy entrance to the other layers of the roofing system such as the underlay and roofing deck.
Constant heat also makes roofing materials more brittle and susceptible to impact damage such as foot traffic. Impact damage can leave massive holes and cracks in the roof covering, creating the perfect breeding ground for insects and mold.
Ultraviolet radiation or UV radiation is a silent but deadly killer of roofs. Even on cloudy days, UV rays beat down on roofs.
Depending on the type of roof a home has, UV rays can even change the molecular structure over time. This not only damages the roof but also renders it virtually useless.
Radiation interacts with the oxygen that is present in your roofing material by speeding it up. At this point, the oxygen bonds with the hydrocarbons that are present in roofing materials such as asphalt shingles. This reaction causes the molecules within the shingles to get rid of the oils that keep them flexible. Once the oils are released, the asphalt shingles become brittle and thin.
The best way for homeowners to fight UV damage is to hire professionals to install some kind of UV-reflective layer on their roofs. Some roofing materials, such as metal roofs, naturally reflect the sun’s harmful UV rays. Other types of roofs, such as asphalt, need a barrier of protection.
The last way that the sun damages roofs is through expansion. When the sun heats up a roof, the heat makes it expand. At night, the temperature of the roof cools, making it contract. This constant expanding and contracting weakens the roofing material, eventually leading to cracks. While it’s impossible to completely prevent this from happening, proper roof ventilation can keep roofs from becoming overly hot. Have a question regarding new roofs or roof repairs? Ask a roofing professional from Fortified Roofing of Middletown NJ.
Roofing term of the day, courtesy of Fortified Roofing, Middletown NJ:
Roof Ventilation
Roof ventilation refers to a system that helps keep roofs cool. This system is typically made of intake and outtake vents. The intake vent brings cool air into the attic, while the outtake vent forces warm air out. Keeping the attic cool keeps the roof cooler.
Middletown roofing company Fortified Roofing answers a question:
Besides hiring a professional to perform summer maintenance, what is another line of defense that homeowners can take against sun damage?
The best way to fight sun damage is to catch it before it becomes a problem. Homeowners should hire a professional to inspect their roof every 90 days or three months. These types of inspections are fairly regular and never inconvenient. A roofer will look for warped or cracked shingles, which is a clear sign that the roof is starting to age because of UV radiation damage.
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If you would like to ask a question regarding roofers, a new roof installation, roof leak repairs, skylight options or gutters and downspouts please contact Fortified Roofing today!
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