Repair or replace - Shingle damage
Have you noticed large amounts of grit and debris coming down your eavestrough downspouts or blowing off your roof in strong winds? Seen the edges of your shingles curling up and losing the protective grit layer? Wondering if it’s time for a new roof or a simple repair will suffice? Let’s take a closer look!
The climate here in Ottawa is tough on roofing systems, The blazing sun in summer and the freeze/ thaw cycles in winter can cause a lot of damage to shingle roofs, especially if they are getting towards the end of their serviceable life, are a builder-grade material or were poorly installed.
There are several types of shingle damage that could occur independently, or with an old roof likely it will be a combination of types of damage.
Surface granule loss - As the surface layer of the shingle deteriorates, the asphalt/fiberglass mat will let go of the protective granules. These granules are there to protect the asphalt layer from harmful UV rays from the sun. Once the granules are gone it won’t be long before enough damage has been caused to the asphalt mat that water will start to penetrate the surface.
Curling of the shingle edges - Curling up of the shingle edges will cause the shingle to lose granules around the edges, exposing the shingle mat to UV damage, it can also expose nail heads underneath the shingle to water, increasing the chance of water penetration.
Cracking of the shingle - Improper installation can cause shingles to crack as they experience expansion and contraction due to temperature change. Loss of the protective granules can cause the shingle mat to dry out and crack, this will only be exacerbated by strong winds or the freeze/ thaw cycle moving the shingle around.
Some amount of deterioration of the shingle is expected as the roof gets older and is probably nothing to worry about until you start to notice significant areas of damage, in which case a replacement will likely be needed.
If it’s a fairly new roof though, you should consider if the attic space is vented sufficiently or if the area is getting increased amounts of rainwater funneled onto it, for example on a lower level that isn’t protected by eavestrough catching the rainwater from the roof above. You’ll need to get these issues fixed to prevent further damage and ultimately having to have the section replaced sooner than you’d hoped.
If you have visible damage to your roof, feel free to send us a picture, or we can come out and assess the condition of your roof directly.
