There are four things we typically find when inspecting a roof.
1. Curling. As asphalt shingles harden over time, the granules which were once securely embedded begin to break away. Occasionally you may have seen the colored granules in your gutters or at the bottom of your downspouts. As this hardening continues, the asphalt layers begin to shrink. You now have the top and bottom coatings are shrinking and the reinforcement is remaining stable. As a result, the edges of the shingle begin to curl.
2. Cracking. Another sign of aging is the development of surface cracks. The oils within the asphalt begin to be depleted due to heat which causes the shingle to become brittle to the point where surface cracking appears. The stresses created by thermal shock and movement of the roof deck also contribute to this cracking.
3. Blisters. As shingles begin to weather, small bubble-like raised areas known as blisters can appear on the surface of the shingles. They can range in size from a pea to as large as a quarter. The blisters may be open which expose the asphalt or remain closed. The most common cause of this condition is improper roof ventilation.
4. Staining. This is one of the most common signs of an aging roof. Over a period of time shingles may develop dark brown or black streaks that are sometimes mistaken for soot, dirt, moss or tree droppings. In actuality, this discoloration may be caused by algae growth.
Protect yourself from further damage before winter hits. If you need a roof inspection please contact us immediately at sales@kempwindows.com.
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