Florida is often called the Sunshine State. But that’s not always a good thing. Although Florida’s year-round warmth and sunshine have many perks, it can also cause damage to your roof from the intense heat and blistering sun. It’s easy to forget about your roof once it’s up. But in Florida, it might need some regular TLC.
Let’s take a look at the state of your roof to determine if it is getting the care it deserves.
The Heat.
The materials that make up your roof change when the temperature changes. These materials expand in heat and contract when it cools. Florida’s heat can cause roof damage and even permanent irreversible damage.
Although it may seem that Florida’s summer temperatures are always high, a 2000 Florida Solar Energy Center study found that the average temperature of a house’s shingles can vary greatly from one summer day to the next. The study found that the average temperature of a Florida home’s roof was 70 degrees Fahrenheit over a summer night. However, shingle temperatures reached a blistering 160° during the day. This means that there is an average temperature difference of 90 degrees between roofing materials for many months.
This heat problem is not just from outside. If your attic isn’t properly ventilated, it could also be affecting your roof. The heat from the summer heat can build up in your attic, and it will also attack your roof below.
Florida is hot. You can feel the heat from the outside as well as the inside. It can go on for months. This can lead to significant damage.
The Sun.
Rain is a common concern for roofs. If your roof is leaking, it’s an immediate problem. How did the leak get there? The sun’s UV rays can cause severe skin damage in Florida.
The UV rays can cause molecular damage to your roof’s materials. The materials that hold them together dry out and crack. As a result, the intense heat of Florida’s summers penetrate your roof’s protective layer and cause damage to the structure.
This damage can happen even when there is no sun, just like a sunburn.
This post was written by Ted Williams! Ted is the owner of A Old Time Roofing which offers the best roofers in Clearwater FL! Ted is a Master Elite Weather Stopper GAF Roofing Contractor, a double award winner of Best Steep-Slope Contractor from GAF and achiever of Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence from GAF. He has been serving the Pinellas County area since 1978. Old Time Roofing has a tradition of quality workmanship, servicing residential and commercial properties.
