To ensure that your roof stays in top form, you should have it inspected by the trusted roofing contractors in your area. They’ll clear any unwanted debris on its surfaces and address minor issues that may otherwise lead to more damage if ignored. This means taking a closer look at what type of damage your shingles have sustained so that they’ll determine whether it can be repaired or replaced. 

Understanding How Asphalt Shingles Are Made

While shingles are available in many colors and styles, most are made of either organic or fiberglass matting. Fiberglass shingles are manufactured with a mat or substrate made of glass fibers of different lengths and orientations. The base is saturated with a formulated asphalt coating and surfaced with a layer of mineral granules. On the other hand, organic-based shingles are manufactured with a mat or substrate that is composed of cellulose made from recycled waste paper and wood fibers. A specially formulated asphalt coating is also applied to the base along with mineral granules.

Asphalt Shingle Cracking and Splitting

While both shingle types offer good protection against different weather conditions, professional roof repair contractors know that they can still get damaged over time. As they become more susceptible to damage as they get near the last few years of their lifespan, they may exhibit cracks, splits or even both.  

The terms “cracking” and “splitting” are often used interchangeably when it comes to asphalt shingle damage. But the reality is that they are two different things:

• Cracked shingles are caused by a combination of long-term moisture exposure and evaporation of volatiles, which are chemicals that make the shingles flexible and waterproof. This issue often means that the shingles are past their lifespan, although some cracks occur a few years after installation. In this case, the shingles used were not of good quality.

• Split shingles, on the other hand, are the result of constant expansion and contraction. This happens when the roof is exposed to consistent temperature fluctuations, especially during the summer and winter months. When they expand during summer, the joints between them decrease in size. They shrink by the time the temperature drops during winter, which means the joints between the shingles become larger. The constant cycle puts stress on the bridging shingles and the bonded-shingle assemblies, which eventually causes them to split.

Get in touch with your local roofer as soon as you notice cracking or splitting following a routine visual inspection. Depending on our assessment, we’ll recommend replacing either only the affected shingles or the entire shingle assembly.

In addition to providing expert residential roofing services, the pros at Lankford Roofing & Construction LLC also specialize in other exterior home improvements, including gutter installation and window replacement. Call us today at (903) 465-7677, or fill out our online form for a free estimate. Our Texas service areas include Denison and Sherman, TX.