What Happens When Asphalt Roofs Age

What happens when asphalt roofs age? Weathering is the term used to describe the effects on roofs of long-term exposure to the elements. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the roofs are damaged already. It is the natural deterioration of asphalt, eventually damaging them, leading to the need for roof repair or roof maintenance.

What Causes Asphalt to Deteriorate?

A number of factors affect the rate at which asphalt weather, including quality, structure orientation, degree of roof slope, climate, thermal cycling, roof color, elevation and maintenance quality. Multiple factors can combine to extend or diminish the service life of roofs.

Most asphalt roofs will start to fail when deterioration accelerates. Random surface cracking in asphalt can expose the roof to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Cold climates increase the chances of damage in asphalt due to increased levels of moisture. On the other hand, heat and humidity can cause the asphalt to split.

In addition, distortion exposes more of the surface beneath the shingle to moisture, allowing moisture to more easily penetrate your roofing system, leading to leaks.

Can You Slow Down Aging on Asphalt?

When asphalt shingles start to fall apart, research shows that copper can slow down the aging process. You can do this simply by placing a 12-inch-wide roll of thin copper on top of the cap shingles that runs across the ridge of your roof and its hip.

Renaissance Roofing, Inc, has a crew knowledgeable and experienced roofers. Call us today at (541) 204-1690 now for a free consultation. We serve clients in Salem, Albany and Corvallis, OR.