You don’t need to be an experienced roofing contractor in Virginia Beach to know that Virginia gets blazing hot in the summer. Just as doctors recommend staying hydrated and wearing sunscreen, we, as a Virginia Beach roofing company, have health tips for your home!
How Does Summer Heat Damage your Roof?
One of the biggest culprits damaging your roof in the summer is thermal expansion and contraction. Think back to grade school science. Your teacher has two bowls of water, one is ice cold and the other is nearly boiling. If you place an empty water bottle with the cap still on into the icy bowl, it will contract. Place it in the hot water and it will expand back out.
The same thing is happening to your roof during the summer. During the day, your roof absorbs all that heat. The underlying roof structure can expand and buckle. The flashing starts splitting away from the vents and chimneys. Even the shingles can push against each other. At night, when the temperature cools, everything contracts, leading to cracks, curling, and potentially leaks.
So what can you do about it?
Well, you can’t change the seasons, but you can keep an eye on your roof. We recommend getting your roof inspected twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall. Our free, no-obligation inspections can catch these problems before they spiral into expensive roof repairs for your Virginia Beach home.
Can Summer Heat Accelerate the Aging of Shingles?
Yes, summer heat accelerates your shingles’ natural deterioration. Different types of shingles have different lifespans. However, the most common shingle is the 3-tab shingle, which is primarily made from asphalt.
Asphalt absorbs heat, making them more rigid and brittle. This brittleness leads to cracking, warping, and peeling. UV exposure also destroys their protective coatings, making them less effective against the elements.
So what can you do about it?
Again, we highly recommend getting professional inspections to prevent minor repairs from becoming expensive headaches. However, you can also buy higher-quality shingles that are more resistant to the heat. For example, we offer GAF Designer shingles, which are more expensive but tend to last longer because of their heat resistance.
Does Virginia Beach’s Coastal Conditions Damage your Roof?
Virginia Beach’s coastal conditions create unique challenges for your home. The biggest one is probably frequent storms and strong winds. However, the second, much more subtle danger is humidity.
Virginia’s humidity, combined with its summer heat, can lead to moisture retention within your attic. If your attic is poorly ventilated, then this moisture can lead to mold, algae, and rot. Needless to say, these are persistent and expensive problems.
Secondly, this humidity can also cause algae and moss growth on top of your roof. For example, if you see black streaks on your shingles, that could be the start of algae growth. Moss and algae don’t directly damage your shingles like heat does, but they definitely contribute to moisture retention.
So what can you do about it?
We have a blog that delves into DIY prevention and treatments. However, for a long-term solution, consider higher-quality shingles.
GAF’s Timberline shingles are very resistant to blue-green algae, even offering up to 25 years of warranty against them.
To protect yourself against storm damage, consider GAF’s Modified IR (impact-resistant) shingles. They can withstand heavy hail and wind speeds up to 130-150 mph.