The Plymouth area has had one of the driest, hottest summers in quite a while. All of Western Massachusetts is considered to be in drought, and stories about the water shortage’s impact are everywhere. One thing that isn’t really being discussed is the impact of the scorching sun on your home’s roof.
There is no sunblock for a roof. Asphalt shingles are particularly vulnerable to sun damage, especially if they’re getting toward the end of their natural life – think 20+ years old. If you see signs of blistering on the roof, you know there’s a problem: these blisters are often a sign that moisture has penetrated through the roofing material and accumulated beneath, where it expands with the hot weather, creating the blister and exposing your home’s infrastructure to damaging water and winds.
Other signs of sun damage include cracked and wavy shingles, which often contract and split due to the heat. Shingles can also deteriorate in place, falling away in big chunks that are both an eyesore and an obvious problem. The one good thing about sun damage is that it can often be addressed with a roof repair job, rather than full replacement. The key is to monitor your roof’s condition regularly and call the Plymouth roofing contractor at the first sign of trouble. The longer you wait, the more moisture and wind damage can occur, transforming what could be a simple fix into a big job.
One thing to keep an eye on is insects. Wasps, hornets, and other insects have a much higher tolerance for hot summer weather than we do. If you see bees or other flying insects clustered on your roof or appearing to fly into it, there may be a vulnerability they’re exploiting for a nesting site. Your Plymouth roofing contractor has strategies for dealing with this problem while getting your roof fixed so you can have a home free from holes, bees, and other issues!