A roof is a significant part of your house’s construction. It is a wall of protection that secures the entire structure along with the walls and foundation.
Being in direct contact with all the natural stresses, the roof requires a lot of attention and care. It is to make sure its structural integrity is maintained and has a long life without unnecessary repairs.
Every weather has some type of wearing effect on the roof. Warm weather has particularly harsher impacts.
Read on to know the five ways hot weather affects the roof of your house.
- UV Exposure
Ultraviolet radiations aren’t just harmful to humans and other living species. It has an equally stronger effect on buildings and other infrastructures.
Your house’s roof is in direct contact with the heat radiating from the sun. It exposes the roof to harmful UV radiations as well. The constant exposure to UV can cause the roof to age and decay much faster than expected.
Though the impact of UV is seen even on cloudy days, the highest impact is seen on long summer days.
The strength of the UV ray might not be visible to the naked eye. However, it is damaging enough to cost you a fortune in repairs. UV has a bleaching effect on the wood. It makes the wood bearings weak, which results in cracks.
UV radiation weakens the structural integrity of the roof as the construction material starts to dissipate.
If you have a layering of shingles on your roof, you might notice them buckling up and splitting. When you see damage similar to the one described, your roof has a strong chance of suffering from the summer heat.
- Heat
Roof being a shade to the house, nobody considers providing a layer of shelter to the same. An uncovered roof gets heated up because of the direct sunlight.
In the summer, the heat gets harsher and more aggressive.
If you have a dark-colored roof, there is a high possibility that it is absorbing a lot more heat than it actually should. More heat absorption means that the temperature of the roof is reaching up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
A heated roof provides a platform for the acceleration of chemical reactions. As a result, a process that was supposed to happen over a decade might occur in a few years.
The roof will start getting weak, and you will notice a faster breakdown of the construction material.
The solution to this problem can be providing proper attic ventilation in the roof. This will help in reducing the heat buildup and prevent the temperature from rising significantly higher.
Another possible solution is to get a light paint coat, possibly reflective in nature. It will minimize the absorption of heat and leave the temperature at a suitable range.
- Summer Storms
Scorching, blistering heat can often invite a strong and devastating storm. It means that your roof will be subjected to unexpected wind and hail damage.
Hail damage can shake the integrity of the roof. It can have deep impacts that can later result in leaks or partial damage to the roof. Wind can knock off localized portions of the roof, making it weak and exposing the lower layers.
It opens the scope to more damage, making the situation dangerous for those living under it.
If you happen to face such unexpected hail and wind storms in summer, it is advisable to get a thorough inspection. The summer is harsh enough for the construction material; a hail or wind storm can worsen matters.
Functional roof damage diminishes the roof’s ability to perform its function and reduces its lifespan. On the other hand, cosmetic damage includes any damage other than functional that does not impact roofing ability.
An inspection will give you an idea of whether the damage is just cosmetic or there is some functional damage. In that case, you can take a call whether you want to go for full-blown repairs or just some basic touchups.
- Thermal Shock
The roof is the most exposed to any type of external stress. It is, therefore, subjected to constant exposure to the sun’s heat without a break.
Though the roof heats up quickly, the cooling down period isn’t slow. The temperatures run down fast with sundown. This sudden change in temperature causes rapid expansion and contraction of the material used in construction.
With time, these sudden temperature changes will affect the roof’s integrity, making it weak and leaky.
The trouble increases manifolds for the roofs that have a considerable amount of metal under their foundation. Metal responds most actively to thermal changes.
Rapid expansion and contraction can result in metallic construction materials changing shape. These changes will create gaps that will affect the strength of the entire structure. It makes the roof construction weak and susceptible to any kind of future stress.
- Blistering And Moisture Damage
Water damage is something very commonly seen in almost every house. Water damage is trouble enough, and the sun’s heat makes matters even worse.
The heating up of the water molecules causes them to evaporate. These water molecules, upon evaporation, lift the felt present on the roof. It is followed by the formation of bubbles, creating blisters on the surface.
These blisters aren’t just ugly to look at. They can cause massive damage that can empty your pockets. If not caught early, you might have to replace the entire roof.
If you live in an area that is subjected to water damage and thermal cycles, be on the lookout for such blisters. When you happen to encounter some, carry out immediate repairs to save yourself future troubles.
Moisture buildup along with heat makes a perfect ground for fungus and mold to grow. This growth rather gets accelerated in hot and humid conditions. Moisture retention can be highly damaging for the roof flashing. A ruined flashing will impact the roof in a way that its draining capacity gets compromised.
Things To Remember
Roof damage can easily go unnoticed. Always be on the lookout for tell-tale signs to stay ahead of any significant damage.
Getting regular inspections is a must. This will help you get a detailed analysis of the health of your roof, especially after you have gone through a harsh weather condition. You can then take the necessary action.
If your roof is old and hasn’t undergone much repair or changes in the past few years, it advisable to give it a thorough examination. Even if the damage is minimal, localized repairs should be conducted from time to time to improve the longevity of the roof.
Sometimes, the damage isn’t apparent, but leaving it be can affect your roofing and prove troublesome in the future. Whenever you suspect any damage, it is best to contact professionals to conduct a comprehensive inspection.
To Sum It Up
Harsh summer conditions can be taxing for your roof too. Since it is protecting you from environmental stresses, it is your responsibility to maintain it properly.
Take proper measures to avoid heat damage. Perform regular maintenance and repair jobs to ensure that there aren’t any permanent and expensive damages later.