Asphalt shingles are rated for 25 to 30 years, but many roofs in North Texas do not get there. When we tear off a worn roof, the cause is almost always one of these five.
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1. Sun and heat
Asphalt shingles contain oils that keep them flexible. UV and heat slowly bake those oils out. The shingles get brittle, crack and curl, and the granules that protect the asphalt start to wash off. South and west slopes, which get the most afternoon sun, wear out first.
Signs: curling edges, cracking, and granules collecting in the gutters.
2. Hail
Hail knocks off granules and cracks the fiberglass mat inside the shingle, often without anything visible from the ground. The damaged spots let UV and water get to the asphalt, and the shingle breaks down from there. In North Texas, hail is the most common reason roofs are replaced early.
Signs: dark spots where granules are missing, soft bruises, dents in nearby gutters and vents.
3. Poor attic ventilation
A hot, unventilated attic heats the shingles from underneath while the sun heats them from above. Shingles over a poorly ventilated attic can age years faster, and some manufacturers will not honor their warranty without proper ventilation.
Signs: blistering, curling across the whole roof, a very hot upstairs.
4. Moisture
Water that sits on or under shingles speeds up breakdown. Clogged gutters, debris in valleys, moss on shaded slopes and condensation in the attic all keep shingles wet longer than they should be.
Signs: moss or algae streaks, rotted decking at the eaves, dark stains under the roof in the attic.
5. Installation mistakes
Nails in the wrong place, too few nails, missing starter strips or poor flashing let wind lift shingles and water get under them. Once a shingle's seal is broken, it wears and loosens much faster.
Signs: shingles lifting or blowing off in moderate wind, leaks at walls and chimneys on a fairly new roof.
Slowing it down
Seeing granules in your gutters or curling shingles? Call (855) 741-ROOF for a free inspection.