It’s in your best interest to keep your roofing system in great condition. One way to do so is by educating yourself on common roofing issues, such as shingle cracking and splitting. Do you know the difference? In today’s blog, one of the elite roofers in your area, Homecraft® Inc, shares the key differences between shingle cracking and splitting.
Cracking
Your asphalt shingle mix includes volatiles which are chemicals that have a low boiling point. This, in turn, makes your asphalt shingles flexible and waterproof. Your shingles gradually lose volatiles due to aging, evaporation, and moisture. As your volatiles continue to decrease, this causes your asphalt shingles to shrink or crack. This can be even further accelerated by heat.
Oftentimes, roofing contractors will tell you that craze-cracking in organic or fiberglass roofing shingles are a telltale sign of aging. Having too much filler could also lead to cracking. If you notice this issue in a newly-installed asphalt shingle, then cracking tells you that you might have a weak mat or low-quality shingles.
Splitting
Thermal splitting happens due to rapid changes in the temperature that causes your shingles to expand and contract. Your shingles tend to expand in warm temperatures, particularly in the summer, where the joints between them tend to decrease in size. Conversely, they shrink during the winter months, when the joints become larger. THe shingles connecting the joints also shrink. This is why the bridging shingles continue to bear more stress as the temperature varies. Too much stress will cause the shingle adhesives to wear down, leading to your shingles splitting. Shingle splits also lead to leaks and lower wind resistance, so make sure that you have your shingles inspected regularly.
Get energy-efficient windows and doors installed by our team of experts. Homecraft® Inc. is the leading home exterior contractor in Newark, Middleton and Bear, DE. We specialize in patio door installation and roof repair projects. Call us at (302) 703-1109 or fill out this contact form to request a quote.
