Knowing the Signs of Aging Shingles
One of the most famous roof options for many in Canada is the use of shingles. If you are using this type of roofing, you are definitely not alone. In fact, as a professional roofer, I have faced many clients wanting this elegant option in their roofs. Because of their unique texture, and the varying tones and hues available in shops, it is no wonder that many are instantly falling for these roofs like mine.
However, there are certain things that my clients need to understand about roof shingles repair. As a shingle roof user, you should also be aware of these small and seemingly unimportant features that it has. I have experienced reroofing houses and I have seen a lot of damage in their shingle tiles. Most of damages however are preventable with the right knowledge. This inspired me to do quite a few researches on the quality of asphalt (This is the main ingredient for making shingle tiles.
If you are not aware of it, you better read on) and the reactions that they do when faced with some of the most common elements. Not known to you, certain changes can happen to your roof microscopically. In that sense, you cannot detect them by just peering at your roof. I would like to share to you some of the inputs I have discovered:
The following comprise the signs of aging for your roof shingles:
- Curling – You may have noticed that the edges of each tile in your roof start to rise. This event is called curling, and is due to the shocks of temperature faced by your roofs. I have seen this sign in many roof shingles, and it is noteworthy to mention that it occurs in a very young age. Curling happens when the outer surface of your shingle tiles start to shrink while to lower part stays the same.
- Surface Cracks – This sign can be seen on shingles facing the middle of their life. I am suggesting that if you see this signs, better start saving for a renovation. Cracks happen, again, because of temperature changes. In lower temperatures, your shingles contract and on higher peaks, it expands. These causes strain to your shingles.
- Boils – Boils are pea- or quarter-sized bulges that grow in your shingles. They may either be opened or closed, depending on the age of your roof.
- Algae discoloration – The moisture trapped in your shingles can be the best place for algae growth, which will cause a slow discoloration in your roof.
Now, for the lifecycle of your roof shingles, I have found out that it consists of three stages. The first one involves a rapid aging process, which will be the phase called curing. In here, curling often happens. Next is the middle life of your shingles. In this phase, the aging of your roof will slow down.
However, it is only temporary because the pace will soon quicken as the cycle reach the final phase. In these phases, it is important to note that quality of your roofs to help roofers like us in determining what assistance to give to you.
