How to Avoid Thermal Splitting on Your Roof

No one wants to pay good money for a new roof only to have it
begin splitting a few years later. When you invest in a roof that’s expected to
last 20 or 30 years, you want it to truly hold up over time. Unfortunately,
thermal splitting is a known issue, and many homeowners do end up facing this
problem. Luckily, there are ways to avoid thermal splitting. If you want your
new roof to go the distance, it’s worth understanding a bit more about thermal
splitting and how it can be prevented.

Thermal Splitting

As you know, materials tend to expand and contract due to
temperature extreme. Shingles are no exception. In the heat of the summer, the
temperatures on a roof can become truly blistering. With this heat, comes
expansion. When night arrives and the roof begins to cool, the shingles will
begin to contract. This doesn’t just happen once or twice. It could happen
hundreds of times throughout the year, depending upon the seasons and
temperatures experienced. When your roof experiences this year after year, it
can create serious issues with your shingles.

Roofs are built with layers of different materials. Each one has a
different expansion and contraction rate. Splitting is the result of these
different rates interacting. The term splitting is quite literal. Splits or
divisions in the seams between the various components may become obvious over
the years. Cracking is also possible. With expansion and contraction, shingles
can literally split apart. This is how thermal splitting gets its name. The
result is a roof that’s no longer fully intact. This could lead to your roof
needing to be patched or even fully replaced. It depends on how long it goes
untreated and the severity of the problem.

Prevention

Avoiding thermal splitting comes down to two main factors. First
and foremost, roofs must always be installed according to correct procedures.
Hurried or sloppy installation is far more prone to splitting as well as a host
of other problems. The other factor is the quality of materials used. If
roofers are attempting to cut corners, they may buy poor quality materials.
Even the most skilled roofers in the business still have to work with good
products.

When it comes to the installation, roofers have to know how to
combat thermal expansion and contraction. One key is properly spaced materials.
The spacing allows room for the shingles and especially the underlying
materials to expand and contract. This prevents the boards and shingles from
applying pressure against each other. Careful spacing is essential, especially
in climates know for extreme temperatures. If you have sweltering summers,
proper installation is essential.

Roofing materials should always be of high quality and purchased
from an established manufacturer with an excellent reputation. Yes, this will
cost more than cut-rate components. In the end, it’s absolutely worth the
investment. Your roof protects your home, and your home will likely be one of
the biggest and most important purchases you ever make. It deserves to be well
protected.

With skilled roofers and good materials, thermal splitting should
be an issue that can be avoided. Contact Findlay Roofing today for all of your
roofing needs.