Roof shrinkage is one of the major problems that occurs in roofing.
The primary concern with a roof that is shrinking is the way it pulls the flashings at curbs, penetrations, and walls; this often leads to splits and cracks that allow moisture in, which can result in leaks.
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What Is Roof Shrinkage?
For starters, most homeowners are not even aware of what roof shrinkage is.
It is a common misconception that roof shrinkage is the actual shrinking of your roofing materials over time.
Instead, it refers to the membrane that coats your roofing materials shrinking and ultimately wearing away.
This membrane, known as the ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), is the membrane that works to protect your home from significant damage caused by extreme temperatures, weather and other damage caused by objects to your roof.
Over time, this membrane shrinks and can lead to many problems if left without repair. Some issues are cracks, tears, and ridges in the roofing materials, to name a few.
Why Does Roof Shrinkage Occur?
A number of things can cause roof shrinkage, such as;
Inadequate manufacturing or application of membrane and materials
The EPDM membrane requires several careful steps to develop and apply it to the roofing materials accurately.
If there is a lack of quality in the production of the membrane at any point, the membrane’s durability can be drastically decreased, and its protection to your home is weak.
If in fact the quality of the membrane is fine, but the oil is not mixed correctly before applying it to the roofing materials, the membrane won’t have the necessary flexibility to function correctly.
Extreme wear and tear in harsh environments
The membrane should be able to withstand general ageing of the material.
However, in climates with harsher climates and environments, the membrane may wear more quickly.
Constant exposure to this and UV exposure drastically decreases the membrane’s lifespan.
Design
The design of a roof can affect the membrane’s durability on that roof.
Roofs should be designed in a way to compensate for membrane shrinkage and should be strong enough to withstand normal EPDM shrinkage.
Larger roofs and their materials are more vulnerable to this, as large areas of the home’s roof can be affected by this at a single time.
How Do You Fix Roof Shrinkage
When it comes to repairing roof shrinkage, it’s crucial to have a professional fix your roof.
Most DIY repairs often lead to further and more severe damages to your roof and can cost you more money in the long run.
The most effective prevention of roof shrinkage is to have your roof properly installed right from the start.
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However, in cases that you’re not in need of an entirely new roof, having a professional roofing company do an in-depth inspection and provide regular maintenance to ensure that your roof is functioning correctly.
If you believe your home may be subject to roof shrinkage, or are in need of a trusted and experienced roof professional to inspect, repair and maintain your roof, get in touch today and LC Joinery Roofing and Building work can help!
very informative posts