No matter how durable or well-made your roof, it will run into problems at some point. One of these problems is roof shrinkage, which affects modified bitumen and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) roofs. In this blog, your trusted custom metal roofing expert, Arrowhead Roofing, shares everything you need to know about roof shrinkage.
What Is Roof Shrinkage?
Roof shrinkage refers to a reduction in the size of the roofing membrane that protects your home from the elements. This is a major concern since it also decreases your roof’s protective capabilities against extreme weather events and temperature changes that can further deteriorate its condition.
Your roof will shrink over time, which will lead to cracks, punctures and membrane rips that leave your home susceptible to water infiltration. This is a problem that you shouldn’t leave unattended; instead, you should engage the services of a storm damage roof repair expert to take care of the problem as soon as possible.
What Causes Roof Shrinkage?
The leading cause of roof shrinkage is improper roof installation. When installing a modified bitumen roof, your contractor should apply the material first and let it set before staggering the end laps. For EPDM roofs, the ballast or coating must be applied immediately to prevent warm UV rays from heating up your roofing membrane. If these steps aren’t followed during the installation, your new roof is bound to shrink a lot quicker than expected.
How Can Roof Shrinkage Be Repaired?
You can relieve your roof of pressure by cutting off and replacing the affected flashing and curbs. Afterwards, secure the field sheet with a termination bar or RUSS strip, then install new flashing to breathe life back into your roof.
Trust in Arrowhead Roofing for all your residential and commercial roofing needs! We’re commercial roofing installers certified by GAF and Certainteed, and we’re proud to have been in the roofing industry for over 30 years. We’re always ready to serve you! Call us at (918) 743-9257 or fill out our contact form to get a free roof replacement estimate.
