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Why is my roof leaking?
Why are some of my shingles buckling and puckering?
Why are the corners of my shingles curling?
Why are there granules in my gutter?
Why are my shingles buckling?
Can my roof be installed in cold weather?
Why are there black streaks on my roof?
What are the signs my shingles are aging?
How do I measure the slope of my roof?
Why is my roof leaking?
Normal weathering of asphalt roofing shingles will not cause a leaky roof. Some possible reasons for leaks are:
- Flashings are crucial areas that must be watertight to avoid leaks. These are the areas most
frequently identified as the causes of leaks.
- Damaged shingles leave the roof exposed to leaks and should be repaired without delay.
- When installing shingles take note of the alignment of the cutouts. Depending on the type
of shingle chosen and the nailing location, these areas are crucial to the ease with which water
can infiltrate a roof. They should always be covered by overlying shingle tabs.
- Inadequate ventilation can cause ice damming, frost and condensation accumulation. These
problems can all be easily prevented with proper air circulation.
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Why are some of my shingles buckling and puckering?
Fishmouthing looks like buckling but it is usually random on the roof. The front edge of the
shingle is raised, and tapers back into the shingle. Although it does not usually affect the
durability of the shingle, it should be addressed.
Possible Causes:
- Moisture build-up in the attic can cause wetting & drying cycles in the shingles. Improving attic ventilation can prevent this.
- Installing wet shingles on a dry day, or dry shingles on a wet day will almost guarantee the appearance of fishmouthing.
- Nails that are "popping" out can also cause fishmouthing. Simply correct the position of the nail.
This phenomena is mainly an aesthetic issue that can be repaired in most cases. The most common
repair method would be to use hot melt adhesive to glue down the distorted shingle rendering it
flat. To proceed, the sealant bond of the affected shingle should be broken first. These types
of repairs are best carried out in mild (not too hot) weather conditions.
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Why are the corners of my shingles curling?
Curling is when the corners of shingles turn up and it is generally caused by excess
moisture attacking the underside of the shingle. Inadequate ventilation causes the
entrapment of heat and moisture in the attic. This will eventually penetrate the roof
deck and cause the shingles to curl. Improving air circulation within the attic space
can stop the progress and rectify the situation if the curling is not too severe.
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Why are there granules in my gutter?
Granule loss is a normal process in the weathering and aging of any asphalt shingle.
Common causes of additional granule loss:
- Traffic on roof.
- Shingles applied on very slight slopes (2” in 12” or less), are prone to increased
levels of granule loss due to the poor drainage capabilities of the roof.
- A certain amount of granule loss is to be expected. Shingles are made with an excess of
granules on the surface called “hitchhikers”. If the underlying asphalt is prematurely exposed,
the appearance and service life of the shingle may be affected.
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Why are my shingles buckling?
Buckling shingles can become humped or wavy, usually running in a straight line up, or across
the roof. Some possible causes:
- Deck or felt movement often caused by varying moisture levels in the material under the
shingles. The shift will cause the nails to move in accordance with the deck forcing the shingles
closer or farther apart depending on the situation.
- Improper nailing - nails will "pop up" creating the buckling effect.
- Shingles nailed too tightly together.
- Thin decking (3/8”) over 24” centers can be the cause due to clips, meant to hold the decking
in place, coming lose or coming off.
Depending on the cause of the buckling, improving attic ventilation to eliminate excess humidity,
removing fasteners and refastening or replacing distorted shingles can be some possible solutions.
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Can my roof be installed in cold weather?
Yes, but here are some guidelines to keep in mind.
- Traffic on the roof should be avoided as ice, snow and frost make the surface hazardous and can also cause shingles to break or crack.
- When removing snow, avoid direct contact with the shingles as this will scrape off the protective granules.
- When applying shingles in temperature below 0°C (32 °F), handle the product with care as the shingles become more brittle. Never force or drop shingles in cold weather as they may crack or break.
- If shingles are installed during the colder months, the tabs of the shingles should be sealed down manually using asphalt plastic cement as the sun is not warm enough to activate the adhesive strips.
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Why are there black streaks on my roof?
Discoloration or streaking on shingles is sometimes mistaken as dirt, moss, or granule loss. It is
actually caused by algae growth that propagates in areas of the roof that receive less direct sunlight,
and thereby retain a higher level of moisture. Although most noticeable on light shingle colors, the
algae affects all asphalt shingle roofs, including darker colors. The discoloration caused by the algae
is in no way indicative of a shingle defect. This is an aesthetic concern and will not harm the shingle
or shorten the life of the roof. The algae discoloration is difficult to remove from roofing surfaces,
but may be lightened using various solutions available at most lumberyards.
Notes:
- Cleaning the shingles is a temporary solution as it will eventually grow back due to higher humidity levels in areas of limited exposure to direct sunlight. The cleaning process will have to be repeated every few years.
- Care must be taken when cleaning the algae as to not remove excessive amounts of granules that are attached to the surface of the shingles.
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What are the signs my shingles are aging?
All shingles, whether organic or glass based, will be subjected to UV rays from the sun,
causing the asphalt coating to dry, loosening the granules covering in the long run. Other
visible signs are pieces of torn shingles, curled tab corners as well as centerline cracks.
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How do I measure the slope of my roof?
Set one end of a 12” level on the roof surface – make it level. Take a tape measure from
the other end down to the surface of the roof. This will give you the slope of the roof.
For example, a roof rising 4-inches for each horizontal foot has a 4/12 slope. Slope is also
sometimes referred to as “pitch”.
The greater the slope, the more material will be required to complete the installation of
the roof, hence the slope factor. The slope factor multiplied by the area of the roof will
give you the number or sq. ft. to be covered.
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