Florida is known as the Sunshine State, but that’s not always a good thing! While our state’s year-round sunshine and warmth have their perks, the high temperatures and blazing sunshine will take a toll on your roof. Once it’s there, we have a tendency not to think about that all important “roof over our head.” But here in Florida, it may actually be in need of frequent TLC.
So let’s break down your roof’s break-down to see if you are giving it the attention that it needs to ensure its longevity.
Long story short, changes in temperature cause the materials that make up your roof to change. In the heat, those materials will expand, and when it gets cooler they contract. Here in Florida, the heat outside is so extreme that those differences can be extra damaging and cause deterioration to your roof when it should still be in its prime.
It may seem like the temperature in Florida is constantly “hot” in the summer, but according to a Florida Solar Energy Center study from 2000, the temperature of a house’s shingles over a summer day does see an extreme variance. According to the study, the temperature of an average Florida home’s shingles over a summer night was an average of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, during the day those shingle temperatures neared a blistering 160 degrees. That means there is a difference of 90 degrees that those roofing materials experience every single day for months on end.
And this heat issue isn’t just coming from the outside; if you have an attic it might also be working against your roof, especially if it’s not properly ventilated. During the hot summer days that we experience, that heat builds up in the attic and fights your roof from below, as well.
Living in Florida, you’ve most certainly been hot before. Imagine that heat coming at you from both the outside and the inside. For months at a time. It’s not hard to see how this can ultimately cause significant damage.
People have a tendency to worry about rain when it comes to their roof. Rain is an easy-to-see, immediate problem if your roof has a leak. But how did that leak get there? Here in Florida, the sun’s damaging UV rays are often major contributors.
Not to get too scientific, but UV rays cause a molecular breakdown in your roof’s materials. Everything holding those materials together begins to dry, crack, and as a result the torrential rains of Florida’s summers get through your home’s layer of protection and begin to cause their own damage to the structure.
Just like a sunburn on a cloudy day, this damage can occur even when the sun isn’t blazing.
But how do you know if your roof is persevering against the elements or in need of attention? It’s easy to ignore your roof until there’s a problem, but if you take the time to do periodic investigations it will help you stay ahead of potentially expensive problems.
This damage is noticeable as cracks, bumps, or crumbling, depending on the type of roof that you have. With asphalt shingles, you might start to see curling, warping, and discoloration. With clay or cement, you might not even have to get on the roof; often times crumbles from your shingles might start washing out through your gutters. These are all easy things to check for, and they can save you time and money by avoiding long-term damage.
Here at A-1 Quality Roof Cleaning and Restoration, we want to help prolong the life of your roof. A replacement is massively expensive, and there are many ways to avoid it. We can help your roof combat heat and sun damage through several methods.
The first is a roof cleaning. If your roof gets dirty, it gets darker, meaning it’s a color that absorbs the sunlight rather than reflecting it. Your dirty roof is basically welcoming the sun damage discussed above, whereas a cleaner, lighter roof will reflect some of that sunlight.
Another option is a roof painting or staining, making it a color that will better reflect the sunlight. Through this we can upgrade both the heat-resistant qualities of your roof AND the overall appearance of your home.
If you want to avoid paying thousands of dollars for a whole new roof, give us a call. We’d love to come out and help you determine the best way to give your roof the refreshment that it needs.
We offer free roof cleaning estimates! Give us a call at 407.256.8610 or contact us online here and let us help you and your roof out.