Shingles can deteriorate over time due to several factors, including a weathered roof:
Deteriorating Shingles: Common Warning Signs
Jan 8, 2024 — Shingles can break down for many reasons. These include long exposure to moisture and poor ventilation. Algae and moss can also grow on a weathered roof. Small animals may run across your roof from tree branches. Pine needles, sap, and cones can fall on your roof too. After years in these conditions, shingles can wear out. This can shorten the life of your roof.
The 3 Stages of Asphalt Shingle Aging and Deterioration | Roofing Tips
If your shingles are cracked, split, or brittle, it’s a sign they’re deteriorating. Overtime, asphalt shingles can deteriorate under exposure to weather. They can become more susceptible to damage from wind, impacts, and thermal expansion and contraction. Any type of damage can make them start to deteriorate.
6 Common Signs Your Asphalt Shingles Are Damaged
Bruised Shingles – Shingles may become bruised when pelted with solid objects at high speeds. Examples include hail, rocks, or debris from surrounding trees. These shingles are usually darker than the rest of the roof. They have a round, concave dent filled with shingle granules.
Common Causes Of Deteriorating Shingles
- Weathering: – Asphalt shingles break down over time due to roof deterioration. This process can be accelerated by UV exposure and extreme temperatures on a weathered roof.
- Exposure to moisture – Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause shingles to degrade.
- Inadequate ventilation – Poor ventilation can cause blistering, which appears as bubbles or raised sections on the surface of shingles.
- Growth of algae and moss – These conditions offer an ideal breeding ground for rot. This leads to the deterioration of the shingles over time.
- Impacts – Asphalt shingles can become more susceptible to damage on a weathered roof. They may be damaged by impacts such as hail, rocks, or debris.
- Temperature changes – Shingles can crack due to the expansion of shingles during high temperatures. They can also crack due to contraction when the temperature decreases.
- Drying mat – A drying mat can cause cracks because it shrinks when drying out.
- Pest can burrow into your roof and cause shingle damage.
- Cracking: Shingles are cracked, split, or brittle.
- Bruising: Shingles become bruised when pelted with solid objects at high speeds. Bruised shingles are typically darker in color than the surrounding roof.
- Granular loss: Asphalt shingles start to lose their protective granules as they age. Granule loss can happen in different ways, including due to weather, harsh cleaning, or UV exposure.
Common Warning Signs Of Rotting Shingles
- Shingles crumble or tear ;leading to roof deterioration: Shingles that easily crumble or tear are a sign of rotting shingles.
- Missing shingles: Shingles that are missing or broken are a sign of rotting shingles.
- Missing granules: Finding granules in the gutters or on bald spots is a sign that shingles are deteriorating with age. Shingles missing their granules show this deterioration.
- Algae growth: Algae growth is a sign that moisture is collecting on sections of your roof. This can be due to a weathered roof or damaged shingles.
- Sagging roof: Sagging clearly shows that your roof is in terrible condition. It will need residential roofing replacement promptly.
- Buckling shingles: If you see the ridge sagging or buckling, the supportive beams have begun to rot. This can cause them to sink.
- Ceiling and wall stains: Failing shingles result in water marks. These will show as discolorations, spots, stains, and streaks on your ceilings or walls.
- A leak in the attic: Leaks in your attic clearly show that your roof is not functioning properly.
- Roof stains: Stains located along ceilings and/or attics are a good sign that there is a leak in the roof.
- Curling, bald shingles
- Strange bulges or bubbles on your weathered roof
- Pooling water that lingers after rain
Learn more about roofing at our Blog Posts
Or consider a metal roof and how to choose
