What Causes Your Roofing Shingles To Crack And Split And Roof Repairs That Fix The Problem
Posted on: 6 August 2021
Replacing damaged shingles is a common type of roof repair for an asphalt shingle roof. Shingles can split and crack as your roof ages for a few different reasons. These shingles should be replaced to prevent a roof leak. Here's a look at what causes splitting and cracking in asphalt shingles and how a roofer can make repairs to the roof.
What Causes Asphalt Shingles To Split Or Crack
As asphalt shingles age, they dry out. This makes the shingles less flexible and more prone to cracking. The shingles might develop craze cracking, which is random shallow cracks on the surface of the shingles. They could also develop deeper cracks that get worse over time. Heat can make cracking worse, so cracks might develop in the summer or when your attic isn't well-ventilated.
Shingles split due to weather fluctuations. When the temperature swings rapidly, the shingles may be stressed and split apart. The movement of the shingles can cause the adhesive under the shingles to work loose. This makes it easier for the shingles to split, so the problem has to be fixed before a shingle splits apart and the roof starts leaking.
How Roof Repairs May Be Done
Your roofer may want to know what caused the shingles to split or crack. If poor attic ventilation is to blame, the roofer might need to add another vent to the attic to get more airflow that helps keep the roof cooler.
If a shingle is cracked or split, it needs to be replaced. This is an easy roof repair for a roofer. First, the bad shingle is removed along with the nails holding it in place. Then a new shingle is put down and nailed to the deck. The roofer might need to replace several shingles on the hottest side of your roof. If your entire roof has many cracks and splits, your roofer might recommend a roof replacement. However, roof repairs may fix the problem and help prolong the life of your roof.
The older your roof gets, the more susceptible it gets to asphalt shingle cracking and splitting. Repairing this type of damage early and stopping it when possible by increasing attic ventilation could help your shingles last longer so you can postpone getting a new roof. Putting off repairs might cause the damage to get worse and result in shingle loss and roof leaks. Cracks and splits are often difficult to see from the ground, so you may want a roofer to check your roof periodically so this type of damage can be found and so you can get roof repairs completed.
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