We all love summertime. But at some point, it’s time to get out of the hot sun and look for some shade to cool us off. Sadly, our home’s roof can’t escape the sun; in fact, statistics show that the temperature of a standard shingled roof during the summer can reach 150-170 degrees during the day and 90 at night. That’s insanely hot, and as the days get longer, that consistent heat will affect your roof.

How exactly will heat affect your roof? It depends on the existing roofing materials, if your roof is provided shade or not, and the roof’s slope (low slope vs. high slope). But for the most part, you can typically expect to see any of the following signs of heat damage over time:

• Buckling and curling shingles
• Peeling
• Eroding of materials
• Discoloration and fading
• Cracks and splits from thermal shock
• Leaks, mold, and fungus

Prolonged heat exposure is a major problem for roofs

Several factors play into heat becoming a problem for your roof:

1. UV exposure — Extended ultra-violet exposure causes roofing materials to age quicker. This is because UV rays are consistent even on cold and cloudy days. So your roof never gets a break. Under this pressure, shingles buckle and split, making your roof vulnerable to rain and future leaks. 
2. Heat — Darker shingles absorb heat, especially on a roof that isn’t properly shaded. The heat alone causes roofing materials to break down faster. 
3. Thermal shock — As abnormally high temperatures soar during the day and slowly cool off at night, the constant heating and cooling of roofing materials make them expand and contract. 
4. High humidity — In both hot and humid areas, condensation can eventually form underneath even the strongest of shingles. Naturally, this will eventually cause water damage. On top of that, there is the ever-present threat of mold and moss growth.
5. Low slope vs. high slope and shade — Depending on the slope of your roof, a large section of your roof could be exposed to the sun for longer periods of time. But that doesn’t mean roofs with higher slopes are immune to extreme heat. Roofs that don’t have any shade to block the sunlight — regardless of slope — sadly don’t receive any break from the heat as the day wears on.
6. Poor attic ventilation — Attic ventilation prevents heat buildup on your roof and limits the threat of condensation. A house with poor ventilation will only lead to bigger problems.

Call MJT Roofing today!

How does heat affect your roof? Slowly. Signs that your roof is suffering under extreme temperatures won’t show up immediately. But they will over time, which makes roof inspections important. Conducting a routine roof inspection twice a year can help you and your roofer stay aware of heat-related problems and so many other issues. This helps you avoid more costly repairs down the road. 

Over the next several months, we’ll continue to publish helpful content to our blog page so that MJT Roofing can be a go-to resource for you!