When you think of roof damage, the first thing that usually comes to mind for many people is a storm, heavy rain, or even winter ice.
But one type of damage that usually goes unnoticed is that caused by the sun. UV rays damage your roof every single day, even when it's cloudy. A professional roof repair service can spot signs of UV damage on your roof.
At All Professional Remodeling Group, we deal with the consequences of UV light every day in Cedar Grove and Essex County, NJ. Understanding UV damage will help you make an informed decision about roof repairs and replacements.
What UV Radiation Does to Asphalt Shingles
However, the surface granules play an important role in protecting the asphalt shingles from sunlight. Despite that, prolonged exposure to the sunlight causes deterioration of the asphalt layer.
Over time, asphalt shingles lose their flexibility and become rigid. If it happens, there is a risk of cracking, curling, or splitting of the shingles. Roof slopes that face south or west usually receive more direct sunlight throughout the year.
Because of that, those sections of a roof often show signs of wear sooner than other areas.
Granule Loss and Its Link to UV Deterioration
Granule loss is one of the clearest indications that the roofing material is exposed to ultraviolet rays. The aging of shingles causes the granules to loosen and fall off.
Due to this thinning of the granule layer, the asphalt beneath will be exposed to increased sunlight, resulting in a continuous deterioration loop.
In case you see an accumulation of granules in your gutters or at downspouts, it can be a hint that the shingles have reached their last stages of life.
Influence of Material Quality on UV Resistance
Not all materials react equally to the sun's ultraviolet radiation. Three-tab shingles are usually made of thinner asphalt and are less protected compared to architectural shingles.
Thicker material and better protection using granulation make architectural shingles, such as GAF Timberline HDZ shingles, durable and UV-resistant. Such roofs will last for a long time before becoming damaged.
The quality of granules also plays an important role. The ceramic coating of granules preserves the protection for a longer time, compared to standard granules made from minerals.
Other Roofing Materials and UV Radiation
Apart from shingles, there are many other roofing materials that may be exposed to UV radiation. These include rubber pipe boots, flashing sealants, skylight gaskets, and other parts of a roof.
Exposure to constant UV radiation dries and causes cracking of the material, making it prone to water leakage, even if the shingles are still intact. Commercial roofs are vulnerable to such damage as well.
TPO and EPDM membranes need inspection regularly to make sure seams, flashing, and penetrations are sealed properly.
How Do We Protect Ourselves Against UV on Roofs in Northern NJ?
As we inspect roofs in Essex County and Bergen County, we consider the condition of shingles, granules, sealants, flashings, and many other parts of the roof that will help us understand the durability of such roofing elements and determine whether it is necessary to repair and replace them.
If replacement of the roof is required, then we install GAF Timberline HDZ shingles because being a GAF Master Elite contractor allows us to give our customers the GAF Golden Pledge
Warranty with the 50-year material warranty and the 25-year workmanship warranty.
All roofing services are provided by our in-house professionals, and no subcontractors are used in the process.
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