A good quality shingle roof, installed correctly could last as long as twenty-five years with good care. If not, it could show curling and buckling sooner. We wrote this post to explain what these terms mean, and how to make a shingle roof last longer.
- Curling means the corners of the shingles come loose and start lifting up. This could be a sign of poor installation or the shingle is failing.
- Buckling, on the other hand refers to the middle part of a shingle bulging. This could indicate trapped moisture due to poor ventilation.
Five Major Reasons Why Shingles Fail
There are five reasons why curling / buckling occur. We describe these briefly here. Please give us a call if you would like to discuss your shingle roof in more detail.
1… THE SHINGLE INSTALLER LET YOU DOWN
The installer may not have taken trouble to position the shingles correctly so the adhesive tar lines hold them together. They may have also ‘cheated’ with short nails or used cheaper ones that corrode. We use at least four, or six in a high wind area.
2… YOUR ROOF VENTILATION IS INADEQUATE
A poorly-ventilated attic traps moisture in the roof space from the accommodation below. This collects between the underlayment and the shingles, and eventually causes them to buckle in the middle. This problem needs your fairly urgent attention, before you have a buildup of mold and mildew in your roof.
3… YOUR SHINGLES ARE AGING FAST
Don’t expect a shingle roof to last forever. Twenty-five years is exceptional even for the best shingles laid professionally. Expect to replace yours after twenty years, or sooner if you have buckling and curling.
4… YOU HAVE A BAD BATCH OF SHINGLES
Some shingle manufacturers come up short on quality. Others produce occasional bad batches but cover these with a warranty. Speak to your insurer soon if you have a relatively new roof showing buckling or curling. This problem is not going to go away!
5… YOUR ROOF CONCEALS AN OLD ONE
Some folk follow the false economy of laying a new shingle roof over an old one. But the problem is the defects are still there, and can knock through to the new one. If you suspect this, you may like to consult a roofing specialist before the situation deteriorates further
Where to Get More Help and Advice
Speak to Valiant Exteriors first for honest impartial advice in Calgary. We are a family-owned business with a regular team. Quality comes at a cost, but that cost is not great with us.
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