5 Ways the Sun Hurts Your Roof
If you live in Bentonville, you’re no stranger to steamy springs and toasty summers. While the cheery spring sunshine is often a welcome relief after a string of cold days, many homeowners haven’t yet prepared their homes for this change.
The sun can be quite damaging to your home (especially your roof). In fact, sun damage is one of the leading causes of roof repair in Arkansas. At Shamrock Roofing and Construction, we get calls for roof repairs caused by sun damage all the time. With over 55 years in the roofing industry, we’ve seen it all and understand the best ways to remedy damage caused by sun or heat exposure.
Read on to learn more about the ways the sun can harm your roof and what you can do to protect it.
#1. Warping Materials
Dramatic temperature shifts can have a huge impact on your roof. As the season warms up and days get longer, roofing materials begin to expand and contract. This back-and-forth motion creates unwanted stretching and eventual warping of the shingles and underlayment. An exceptionally sunny day can accelerate this process, leading to warping within one season!
This is a challenging one to prevent unless you’ve considered this issue prior to having the roof installed. Many newer roofing materials have special coatings added to them to protect against this kind of roof damage.
If you were unaware of this or bought an existing home, your best bet is to schedule regular roof inspections with a trusted local roofing company. They’ll help you keep tabs on the condition of the roof throughout the year.
#2. Fading Color
There’s nothing like the fresh, bright look of a new roof. It instantly upgrades your curb appeal. Most roofs stay fresh and new looking — until one day, they don’t. Many roofing materials, especially older ones, fade over time. Excessive, unprotected exposure to the sun can cause colors to gradually fade into oblivion. Before you know it, you’re left with a ho-hum roof.
Ask your roofer if they have products or solutions that help prevent fading from UV rays. You want your home to look as nice as possible for as long as possible.
#3. Premature Aging
As any roofing contractor in Arkansas will tell you, every roof comes with an estimated lifespan. That said, your roof’s lifespan could be considerably shortened without adequate protection. If it’s overly exposed to the sun’s UV rays, you may experience early damage that’s irreversible. This goes for any shingle type (asphalt, cedar, and even slate).
Talk with a local roofing company to find out the best way to prevent premature aging of your roof.
#4. Missing Granules
Roofing projects are done in layers, with the top layer sporting a gritty, granule-style surface. These granules serve as a protective barrier to keep dirt and debris from reaching the under layers. They also create a surface that diffuses sunlight and heat. If this layer is neglected, its effectiveness can be significantly reduced.
If you notice bare spots on your shingles where the granules have fallen off or been knocked out by hail or branches, call a roofer to get an inspection right away. The faster this issue is dealt with, the more likely you’ll prevent long-term damage to the roof.
#5. Changing Chemical Composition
Roofs can also break down under UV rays on a chemical level. When this happens, it may shrink or crack. An experienced roofing contractor in Arkansas can explain the science behind this in more detail, but the bottom line is that the sun creates long-lasting damage.
Let Shamrock Roofing Get Your Roof UV-Ready
The sun’s strong UV rays are a major source of roof repair in Arkansas. If you’re ready to protect your roof from UV exposure, get in touch with our team at Shamrock Roofing and Construction. We can discuss preventative measures and get you set up with a maintenance plan. Contact us today!