5 Ways UV Rays Affect Roofing Materials

As any roof replacement professional will tell you, your roof is a vital part of your property. After all, it is your property’s first line of defense against the elements and at the same time, it improves your building’s overall look and appeal. Unfortunately, as your property’s first line of defense, you can also expect the roof to sustain different kinds of damage, one of which is ultraviolet damage.

While most roofing systems nowadays may be manufactured to last for a significant period of time, there’s no denying that factors like UV rays can cause it to deteriorate earlier than expected. Therefore, it’s highly recommended by experts that you learn how they can affect your roof.

In this article, the roof repair and maintenance experts of Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc. list the five ways UV rays can affect roofing materials.

1. Deterioration – If the sun’s UV rays hit your commercial roofing system, it usually attacks the roof surface’s composition, resulting in the early deterioration of the chemicals that make up your commercial roof. Luckily, experts say that there’s an easy way to prevent the breakdown of roofing chemicals: simply enlist the aid of a professional roof inspector like Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc. to check on your commercial roof. That way, they can identify the specific problems caused by the harmful UV rays.

2. Damaged Shingles – According to roof repair pros, even residential roofing systems can be affected by the harmful UV rays of the sun, especially if you have asphalt shingles. This is because if the heat persists long enough, the oils of your roofing material can dry out, and your shingles can suffer from severe damage such as cracking, bucking and even bleaching. As such, it’s highly recommended that you have your roof inspected and maintained on a regular basis so the issue can be dealt with immediately.
   
   For assistance in maintaining your residential and commercial roofing system, don’t hesitate to turn to the pros of Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc. to get the job done for you.

3. Blistering – Blistering is a common problem that both commercial roofs and asphalt shingle roofing systems can experience. Usually, it occurs whenever your roof already has cracks and holes that allow water to enter. Once the water has infiltrated the roofing material, the heat from the sun can cause the affected area to expand and lift the tar paper or roofing felt from the roof’s surface. This creates the blisters that you’ll see on the surface of your roofing system. If you notice that your roof, whether commercial or residential, has blisters, experts say that you should address it via a repair or replacement as soon as possible as the blistering can lead to further problems for your roof and home in the long run.

4. Condensation Issues – On the other hand, if you fail to address the damage caused by the sun’s UV rays, roof replacement professionals say that it can begin to affect your building’s interior. In fact, the heat energy that it gives off can warm up your roof and eventually create condensation issues for your property, especially if the attic ventilation doesn’t suit your current roofing system. Therefore, make it a point to have a professional examine the ventilation your attic currently has. That way, they can determine if it suits your roof just fine or if you need to have it replaced to improve your attic ventilation. Otherwise, you leave yourself vulnerable to a bevy of roofing issues that can be costly to rectify in the long run.

5. Damaged Sealants – Finally, UV rays from the sun can also easily affect the sealants of your roof. As you may know, sealants are especially important when it comes to preserving a roofing system’s overall lifespan as they provide extra protection against the elements like snow, ice, or rain. Thankfully, if you happen to be worried about the quality of your roof sealants, you can always enlist the services of a professional roofer to inspect it and add an extra layer of protection if needed.

What to Consider When Choosing Roofing Materials

Repairing or replacing a roof that has been damaged by harmful UV rays is neither a simple nor a cheap endeavor to undertake and as such, it’s understandable if you want to pick a roof that won’t be easily damaged by the sun. Thankfully, it is more than possible to accomplish such a thing and that’s by learning the things that you need to consider when picking materials for your roof.

As any roofing contractor will tell you, one of the first things that you should consider is your current environment. To do this, make sure to take note of your area’s climate. That way, you can pick the right kind of roofing material for your property, ensuring that it’ll last for a long time. Apart from your environment, take a look at the amount of exposure your roof will get as well. Is your home situated in an area that is protected from the sun? Or will the roof be constantly exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays? By looking at the amount of exposure your roof is sure to get, you can easily pick the right material for your roof.

How to Protect Your Roof With Elastomeric Acrylic Coatings

When it comes to protecting your residential and commercial roofing system, experts say that applying elastomeric acrylic coatings on its surface can help it last for a significant period of time. This is because it provides ample protection against heat by bouncing it away from your roof to mitigate high temperatures while helping your roof resist dirt accumulation at the same time, resulting in a durable roof that can not only withstand the elements better but has an extended lifespan as well.

Looking for an expert roofing contractor who can help you maintain your roofing system? Look no further than Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc. When it comes to maintaining residential and commercial roofs, we are the leading pros to turn to and we won’t let you down! With years of experience in the roofing industry under our belt, we are dedicated to giving homeowners nothing but the best when it comes to products and customer service. You can trust that you can count on us. Give us a call at (731) 206-3821 or fill out our contact form to get in touch with us and schedule a free estimate today!