Maintaining the integrity of your roof is very important for keeping up with the appearance and functionality of your home. One of the things you have to watch for white maintaining your roof is roof shingle lifting. Roof shingles are used on 70% of homes in the country, which makes shingle lifting is a very common problem. If you notice this happening to your own roof, this blog post is for you.
At Capital Roofing, we will be covering the common causes that lead to shingles lifting. Do lift shingles need a replacement, or can they be fixed? We will also be covering how to prevent shingles from curling in the future.
What Is The Common Cause Of Shingles Lifting?
While the wear and tear of your roof is a primary cause of lifted shingles, there are other potential reasons why your shingles would start lifting, including the following:
1. Poor Installation
A bad installation can cause shingles to lift. If the roofer you’ve hired didn’t follow the proper steps or used too few nails, shingles can begin to come loose. They might also start to lift if they were not aligned properly. A good roofing contract will make sure their is enough time during installation to properly seal the shingles. Poor installation often leads to problems sooner than expected, so it’s essential to hire a skilled and experienced contractor to avoid this issue.
2. High Winds
Strong winds can catch on the edge of shingles and lift them up, breaking their seal. Once a shingle lifts, more wind is able to get under it and cause more damage. Regularly inspecting your roof after storms can help catch signs of wind damage early, allowing you to replace lifted shingles quickly and prevent more significant problems.
3. Temperature Changes
Large swings in temperature can cause shingles to expand and contract, breaking the seal that holds the shingles down, leading to lifting over time. This is more common in areas where it gets very hot during the day, then drops in temperature during the night. Using shingles made for your climate can help prevent this problem.
4. Loose Granules
Loose granules can lead to shingles lifting on your roof. These small rocks cover your shingles and protect them from sun damage. As shingles age or face harsh weather, these granules can start to fall off. When this happens, the shingle gets weaker and lighter.
you might see dark spots on your roof where granules are missing. Or you could find lots of granules in your gutters.
5. High Humidity
High humidity can cause shingles to swell and lift. When shingles absorb moisture, they expand and then curl up as they dry out. This cycle of swelling and drying weakens your shingles over time.
Extreme heat is also a problem since hot temperatures can make shingles brittle. Brittle shingles are more likely to crack or curl. They’re also weaker, so they can lift more easily in wind.
What Are The Signs Of Shingles Lifting And The Consequences?
There are both direct and hidden signs that shingles are lifting that you can watch for that indicate your roof needs help.
- Look for curled edges or corners on your roof shingles. This is often the first sign of trouble. You might also see shingles that look wavy or bumpy instead of flat. Sometimes, you can spot gaps between shingles where they should be touching, which means the shingles are starting to lift up. In worse case scenarios, shingles might be missing altogether.
- If lifted shingles are not repaired or replaced quickly, you might find shingles scattered in your yard after a storm. This indicates that their is more damage on your roof that should be accounted for.
- Lifted roof shingles allow moisture, moss, algae, and debris to build up on your roof which can harm other parts of the roof and cause it to wear out faster.
- Lifted shingles directly contribute to leaks inside your home. Even small gaps can let water seep in, potentially causing water damage to your ceilings, walls, and insulation.
- Lastly, lifted shingles reduce your roof’s energy efficiency. When shingles don’t lie flat, they create space for air leaks to occur. This means that the cooling and heating system will be affected and need to work harder to keep your home at a consistent temperature.
What To Do When You Notice Lifted Shingles On Your Roof
It is very important to take appropriate measures once you notice roof shingles beginning to lift up on your home. While you may feel that the solution involves DIY repair, handling a roofing project yourself can do more harm than good. You might save money in the short term, but it’s more likely to lead to faulty installation and also risks your safety!
Once you notice lifted shingles on your roof, call a reliable roofing company and ask for a thorough inspection. They will assess the current condition of your roof and help you restore it to optimal condition.
If the cause behind lifted shingles on your roof is a harsh storm or hurricane, then you’ll want to go through your insurance policy to see if they provide coverage for the repairs or replacement. If your insurance policy covers storm and hurricane damage, document all the details with the help of your roofing contractor and ask them to install a temporary solution such as a roof tarp until your claim is approved.
How Do You Prevent Shingles From Lifting In The Future?
At the time of initial roof installation, try to be involved as much as you can an properly inspect the roof after the installation is complete to make sure that it’s up to standard. By hiring a reputable and experienced roofing contractor, you can ensure that the roof is properly installed, neglecting the chances of any mistake and faulty installation.
Regular roof maintenance is also key. Schedule yearly inspections to catch any issues early and keep the gutters clean to prevent water from backing up under shingles, especially if the shingles are already lifted.
Make sure your attic is well-ventilated too since this helps prevent heat buildup that can cause shingles to lift and curl. If you live in a windy area, consider using roof cement under shingle tabs for extra security.
After any harsh weather, check your roof for damage since instant repair can prevent minor problems from becoming bigger issues. By taking these steps, you can help keep your shingles in place and extend the life of your roof.
Call Capital Roofing For Roof Repair In Claremore, Oklahoma
If you are looking for a reliable roofing partner who can provide top-level roof repair services for your property in Claremore, OK, and the nearby areas, then we are here to assist you.
Whether you need help with lifted shingles or need a complete roof replacement, we have a specialized team of roofers who will handle your project with attention to detail. We are the best-rated roofing company in Oklahoma because we aim to provide the best results to our clients. To learn more about our services, call us today at (918)260-4075.
