The importance of your roof’s lifespan cannot be understated. After all, when it starts to disintegrate, you’ll find your entire roof in jeopardy. All the more reason for you to take preventative action and ensure that you’re looking after your roof by taking care of it through maintenance. This article takes a deeper look into the effects of heat on your roof.
The Effect of Heat on Roofing Materials
1. Alumina and asphalt roofs are rated at about 80 F in normal temperature, but with a rise above 80F, the roof’s life will be shortened, which is why these roofs should be replaced with copper, lead, or reinforced concrete.
2. Concrete roofs can withstand temperatures ranging from 110 degrees Fahrenheit to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if exposed to temperatures over 200 degrees Fahrenheit, it can begin to crack into small pieces and become loose.
3. A composite roof can withstand temperatures from 90 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit quite well. However, if exposed to temperatures over 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the roof’s glue will start to weaken, and the roof itself can be in danger of cracking.
Heat and Sunlight in Roof Deterioration
1. UV rays from the sun tend to fade color pigments on roofs, making them look old and worn out even before they’ve started to disintegrate. This can cause the roof to deteriorate faster.
2. The sun can also create hydroperoxides in the asphalt that make the roof brittle, making it fall apart prematurely, prompting a roof repair.
3. Salt stains caused by salt residues from accumulated rainfall can corrode steel roofs, and if they’re not cleaned immediately after they’ve been created, they can cause permanent rusting of the steel itself.
4. Heat can also make the steel soft; as it dries, it can start to crack. This will result in the rain penetrating through the steel and into your house, which is why you need to clean off the stains as soon as you spot them.
The Bottom Line
There are many ways heat and sunlight can affect your roof. As such, you must take preventative measures to prolong your roof’s lifespan by regularly looking after it. Contact us today for more information about how you can protect your roof from heat and sunlight!
