If you live in Florida, dealing with the consequences of extreme summer temperatures isn’t foreign to you. While Floridians are accustomed to protecting their homes from weather problems in the state, one vulnerable part of homes and businesses often gets overlooked: the roof.
Can heat negatively affect the roof of your home or business? It absolutely can. Let’s dive in and learn more about how extreme heat affects roofs in Florida.
How Does Extreme Heat Affect Florida Roofs?
People can get out of the sun, but your roof is up there working 24/7 in the unforgiving Florida sun. Because of this, routine inspections are critically important.
Fortunately, if you’re informed and keep a watchful eye on your roof, you can catch signs of thermal shock, roof degradation, and humidity damage before too much damage is done.
Temperature Changes
When the temperature changes, the materials that make up your roof also change. Specifically, materials tend to expand in the heat, while when it’s colder, materials contract.
While Florida’s summer days are scorching hot, a 2000 Florida Solar Energy study demonstrated that a house’s shingles could change with extreme temperature variance on a summer day.
The study showed that a summer night could cause the temperature of your home’s roof to drop to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s a sharp contrast from the daytime temperatures that can cause your roof’s temperature to soar to a startling 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Harsh Sunlight
If your roof has a leak, it won’t be long before you’re aware of it because when it rains, water will drip (or pour) into your home. But how does the leak happen in the first place?
The answer is that damaging UV rays from the sun are frequently major contributors to leaks in your roof. Specifically, UV rays create a molecular breakdown that causes the materials holding your root together to crack and dry.
As a result, your home’s top layer of protection is compromised.
Signs of Damage
There are several signs you can watch for if you suspect your roof may have suffered damage from the Florida heat.
- Balding or deteriorating shingles
- Bumps and cracks
- Crumbling
- Buckling
- Peeling
- Curling shingles
- Erosion
The type of damage you sustain will depend on the type of roof you have. With asphalt shingles, you will commonly see discoloration, warping, and curling. However, with cement or clay tile roofs, you can see crumbling.
When you start noticing signs of damage, it’s time to quickly be proactive and call in the pros who can help you address your issues.
Solutions and Fixes
Now that you know that the Florida heat can definitely damage your roof, what are some things you can do to prevent heat damage? Moreover, if your roof already has heat damage, what are some of the available fixes?
Ventilation
Roofing materials are important when it comes to the sun, but ventilation management is equally important in your attic. In short, your roof faces assault from both the outside and the inside.
Having adequate airflow throughout your attic space is essential to keep the temperature of your roof under control.
When you have proper ventilation, you can help preserve and extend the life of your roof. You have the added benefit of achieving better energy efficiency.
Gutters and Eaves
Another thing that can affect your roof is to make sure the weather hasn’t negatively affected your eaves and gutters.
Professional Roof Cleaning
When your roof gets dirty, it will look darker. This results in more absorption of sunlight instead of reflection. Having your roof professionally cleaned will help reflect some of the sun’s harsh rays.
Roof Staining or Painting
Since the color of your roof can affect the amount of heat it absorbs or reflects, you can consider changing the color. One option is to have your roof stained or painted a lighter color to reflect sunlight more effectively.
Bonus: You can greatly improve the look of your home with a new painted or stained roof.
Conclusion: How Heat Affects Roofs in Florida
As a Certified Roofing Contractor and General Contractor in the state of Florida, the team at E-Z General & Roofing is comprised of experts in the fields of not just roofing but also general construction and concrete restoration. We have more than 20 years of experience working in Florida, and we are here to answer your questions and discuss the options available to you.