How Summer Heat Affects Your Roof and How to Protect It

Increased exposure to sunlight can damage your roof. You can increase the roof’s lifespan by protecting your roof from the summer heat, which hampers its longevity.

How the summer heat can affect your roof

UV radiations, heat degradation, and thermal shocks can all cause severe harm to your roof.

UV rays can shorten a roof’s lifespan

Your roof is consistently exposed to UV rays from the sun, which causes it to decay or age quickly. Although it also happens during winters or cloudy days, the effect is more severe and harmful during the summer season. Extreme UV radiation can damage your material over time, unbeknownst to you. It can cause asphalt shingles to buckle and split while making the oils in your roofing and construction material dissipate.

Extreme heat breaks down the material

When your roof has a dark color and isn’t shaded, it can absorb high temperatures. These high temperatures accelerate the chemical processes, making your roof and other elements break down quickly. However, you can prevent this heat buildup with a proper ventilation system.

Thermal shock weakens the structural integrity

As mentioned earlier, the temperatures during the hot summer days can build up then quickly decline after the sun goes down. This makes the roofing and construction materials expand and contract, which weakens the entire structural integrity of your roof over time. This is a common problem for metal roofing as the material can warp out of shape and cause gaps.

A warm and wet climate can cause mold and moss growth

Humidity is a troublesome reality for people living in Tennessee, where high temperatures cause intensely humid conditions. In summer, moisture and condensation can settle in between your shingles and the underlayment, causing your roof to leak. Once the moisture gets collected, it provides room for mold growth, which endangers your family’s health.

Direct sunlight fades your roof’s color

Have your shingles started to lose their color? It may be because of the sun. Powerful UV rays can cause discoloration of your roof. This discoloration can further affect the ability of your roof to perform its job well. The color of your roofing material works to reflect the sun’s light. It keeps the harmful sun rays from damaging your roof’s surface and keeps the inside of your house cool.

How can you protect your roof against the summer heat?

Many of the above problems can be prevented with regular roof inspections and preventative measures. Here are 5 ways to protect your roof against the summer heat.

1. Block sun rays with shading

You can hire a contractor to install polyurethane foam on top of your roof. This makes your roof waterproof and protects it from the severe sun. Before sealing your roof with this foam, your roof needs to be properly cleaned.

Nearby trees also offer a good amount of shade. While they do not block entire sunlight, they help limit your roof’s exposure to the intense sun.

2. Add insulation

Although insulation is primarily associated with winters, it can also help keep your roof heat-proof in the summertime. Insulation helps in keeping the warmth outside the roof, just like it keeps the heat inside during the winter.

3. Install light-colored roofing materials

Roofs with dark colors absorb more heat than ones with lighter colors. White or silver reflects sunlight instead of absorbing it. Heat reflecting off of your roof means a cooler home and a longer lifespan for your roof.

4. Ventilate your roof

You can install intake vents and exhaust vents to protect against roof damage caused by summer heat. These vents prevent trapped heat, mold, and moisture.

5. Have higher sloped roofs

Houses with lower slopes have a roof that is entirely open to extensive sun heat. This not only affects the longevity of your roof but can cause heat damage more quickly. This happens because a large part of your roof is under the sun for an extended period. However, a higher slope roof can be a better option in this regard. We know you can’t change the slope of your current roof, but it’s something to keep in mind for future homes you may own.

Protect your roof from the summer heat

Regular roof inspections can help prevent small problems from becoming bigger issues. This will result in a longer lifespan of your roof and add more value to your investment. While you can’t keep the sun from shining, you can take some preventive measures to lessen its effect on your roof.

Apply these above steps with help from a roofing contractor. Smith Roofing is here to detect problems early and get them fixed. Contact us for all your roofing needs.