Roofs naturally age as soon as they are exposed to outside elements. The components of your home ages differently, making it difficult to predict how long your shingles will last. You must know about the normal signs of roof aging to protect yourself from storm chasers who claim your roof is damaged when it’s not. 

Find out what’s normal with your roof and what isn’t here.

Signs of Shingle Aging

Curling normally occurs with shingles as they age and isn’t considered a defect. Asphalt shrinks with age, resulting in slight curling of the shingle age. Minor cracks can also appear on the shingles due to age, but according to experts, it’s a normal weathering characteristic. As long as the cracks don’t penetrate through the shingle, and the roof is performing efficiently, you shouldn’t be worried.

Dark streaks on the roof from blue-green algae are common in humid locations. They may not be attractive, but they don’t affect the shingles’ ability to shed water. Expect to see roofing granules in the gutters after a repair or replacement because extra granules are part of the shingle manufacturing process.

Signs of Roof Damage

Insufficiently ventilated attics or too much use of plastic cement can cause blisters on asphalt roofing. Open blisters expose the materials, making the roof vulnerable to water infiltration. Improper roof ventilation can cause shingle buckling. 

Look for deep cracks penetrating through the fiberglass mat because they can affect the roof’s ability to shed water and make it prone to leaks. Further, excessive granule loss exposes the asphalt layer of the shingles and should be checked by a professional. 

At Thompson Roofing and Construction, we’re here for all your residential roofing needs. We specialize in new construction, roof replacement, siding installation and more. Call us at (256) 952-3309, or fill out our contact form for a free estimate. We work with homeowners in Huntsville, AL.