If you've noticed that the asphalt shingles on your roof have started to curl upwards at the edges, you most likely have poor ventilation in your attic. Although asphalt shingles can curl due to improper installation or poor shingle quality, this problem is typically caused by the shingles becoming too hot. Curled shingles make your roof increase the chance that your roof will leak since the curling opens up gaps in your roof that are no longer covered by shingles. To learn more about why asphalt shingles curl due to poor ventilation and what you should do to fix it, read on.

Why Does Poor Attic Ventilation Cause Shingles to Curl?

Roofing shingles are installed with an adhesive strip that keeps them locked together, and this adhesive will degrade rapidly when it's exposed to high temperatures. Warm air in your home will naturally rise upwards towards your attic. When it has poor ventilation, the warm air has nowhere to go. Eventually, the temperature in your attic will become very high.

Your roofing shingles are sandwiched between the heat of the sun on top and the extremely hot attic beneath them, which heats them up to the point where the adhesive binding the shingles together will degrade. Once the adhesive degrades, the shingles will begin to curl up at the edges.

In addition to high temperatures, poorly ventilated attics often have moisture problems as well. This also causes shingles to curl. Whenever you take a shower or wash dishes, some of the warm water vapor will rise up to the attic and become trapped. The water vapor will migrate into your roof decking, causing it to become saturated with moisture. The wet roof decking will begin to swell, causing the shingles attached to it to curl upwards.

Why Are Curling Shingles a Problem?

When your roofing shingles begin to curl, they no longer form a continuous surface. The plastic underlayment beneath the shingles will be exposed to the elements, and it's not very strong — it can be torn easily by wind-blown debris. Once the underlayment is torn, your wooden roof decking will be exposed to rain. When the roof decking becomes wet, it will start to rot, and you'll eventually develop a leak in your roof once it has rotted through.

How Do You Stop Roofing Shingles From Curling?

You'll need to have a roofing company inspect your attic in order to correct its ventilation. The attic may have been improperly designed by the builder or some of the vents may have become blocked with insulation. A roofing company can add extra vents to your attic or unblock them in order to make sure that air circulates properly in the attic and your shingles are kept cool.

In addition to fixing the ventilation problem, you'll also need to have some roof repairs performed. Any curled shingles will need to be replaced, and your roof decking will need to be inspected for signs of rot. If your poorly ventilated attic had moisture issues, some of your roof decking may have started to rot from excess moisture. Any rotten wood decking will need to be replaced in order to restore the structural integrity of your roof.

If you've noticed curling shingles, call a residential roofing contractor and have your roof inspected. The most likely cause is poor ventilation in your attic, and it will need to be corrected in order to stop the problem. If you don't improve your attic ventilation, your shingles will continue to curl as the adhesive binding them together degrades. Without fixing the cause of the curling shingles, your roof will continue to be damaged and become more susceptible to developing leaks. For additionall information, contact a residential roofing contractor.

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