No one wants to pay good money for a new roof only to have it begin splitting a few years later. When you invest in a roof that's expected to last 20 or 30 years, you want it to truly hold up over time. Unfortunately, thermal splitting is a known issue, and many homeowners do end up facing this problem. Luckily, there are ways to avoid thermal splitting. If you want your new roof to go the distance, it's worth understanding a bit more about thermal splitting and how it can be prevented.
Thermal Splitting
As you know, materials tend to expand and contract due to temperature extreme. Shingles are no exception. In the heat of the summer, the temperatures on a roof can become truly blistering. With this heat, comes expansion. When night arrives and the roof begins to cool, the shingles will begin to contract. This doesn't just happen once or twice. It could happen hundreds of times throughout the year, depending upon the seasons and temperatures experienced. When your roof experiences this year after year, it can create serious issues with your shingles.
Roofs are built with layers of different materials. Each one has a different expansion and contraction rate. Splitting is the result of these different rates interacting. The term splitting is quite literal. Splits or divisions in the seams between the various components may become obvious over the years. Cracking is also possible. With expansion and contraction, shingles can literally split apart. This is how thermal splitting gets its name. The result is a roof that's no longer fully intact. This could lead to your roof needing to be patched or even fully replaced. It depends on how long it goes untreated and the severity of the problem.
Prevention
Avoiding thermal splitting comes down to two main factors. First and foremost, roofs must always be installed according to correct procedures. Hurried or sloppy installation is far more prone to splitting as well as a host of other problems. The other factor is the quality of materials used. If roofers are attempting to cut corners, they may buy poor quality materials. Even the most skilled roofers in the business still have to work with good products.
When it comes to the installation, roofers have to know how to combat thermal expansion and contraction. One key is properly spaced materials. The spacing allows room for the shingles and especially the underlying materials to expand and contract. This prevents the boards and shingles from applying pressure against each other. Careful spacing is essential, especially in climates know for extreme temperatures. If you have sweltering summers, proper installation is essential.
Roofing materials should always be of high quality and purchased from an established manufacturer with an excellent reputation. Yes, this will cost more than cut-rate components. In the end, it's absolutely worth the investment. Your roof protects your home, and your home will likely be one of the biggest and most important purchases you ever make. It deserves to be well protected.
With skilled roofers and good materials, thermal splitting should
be an issue that can be avoided. Contact Findlay Roofing today for all of your
roofing needs.
