When we think about what might cause roofing damages, our thoughts tend to drift to images of severe storms, high winds and debris buildups that may be a product of these things. And while it’s true that the harsher elements of nature tend to produce more visible roofing damages, it should be noted that intense sunlight and high heat have just as big of a potential to create roofing woes as anything else.
Because we live in a region that experiences a climate that’s generally higher on the temperature scale and one that sees harsher sunlight levels all year round, it’s truly important to understand the effects that the sun and the heat can have on roof shingles in Thousand Oaks, CA.
Cracking and drying
Today’s modern shingles are generally a blend of materials, focusing on asphalt. Asphalt shingles are prized for their resilience and their ability to completely protect a roof again elements like moisture, however asphalt does come with some drawbacks when it’s exposed to high heat. None of these is more prevalent than cracking.
Take a look at the asphalt you walk on daily and you’re bound to see cracks in abundance. These cracks are caused by the expansion and contraction of the asphalt in the high heat and when it cools down—these same things happen to your roof each and every time the sun beats down upon it. Over time, when your shingles have expanded and contracted enough times, you’ll start to see cracks forming on individual shingles.
Cracks on roof shingles in Thousand Oaks, CA are made worse by the fact that sunlight dries out the shingles when they haven’t been exposed to rain or other precipitation. These two factors coupled together can quickly lay waste to a roof and create potent areas where moisture damage can take hold, should it rain heavily.
Warping and detachment
Another consequence of shingles that become dried and cracked is their tendency to warp and curl over time. As the sun beats down on your roof shingles in Thousand Oaks, CA, the edges will slowly begin to curl upward and inward, prying up the entire shingle itself. If left unchecked for long enough, this can result in the entire shingle becoming detached from the roof, which is an invitation for moisture and other damaging elements to take root in that spot.
Rain is good?
When rainfall is normal in a region—even consistent within a season—the prospect of drying, cracking and curling shingles is a lot lower, since some of the moisture helps to deaden the effects of intense sunlight and heat. However, since Thousand Oaks has experienced light rainfall in the past few years, with very few periods of consistency or heavier rainfall, cracked and warped shingles might very well be a possibility on your home. Have your roof inspected by a professional today to see if the sunlight we’ve been enjoying lately has taken its toll on your roof.