Don’t Ignore Curling Shingles – What To Do When Your O’Fallon Roof Shingles Start Buckling
It starts slowly with just a few shingles, but soon the problem spreads. More and more of your roof shingles begin deforming and lifting.
Curled shingles are a common issue for asphalt roofs in the O’Fallon area. But exactly what causes this curling? And, critical for many homeowners, what should you do when you notice roof shingles buckling?
At Utz Roofing, your trusted O’Fallon roofer for over 50 years, we want to provide helpful answers to these concerns so you can protect your home before leaks begin.
What Causes Shingles to Curl and Buckle?
Shingle curling generally happens when the adhesive strip on the underside loses its grip and bonding. However, the root cause often depends on the age of your roof:
Aging and Heat: On older roofs, hot weather combined with aging shingles that have become brittle leads to the curling effect.
Poor Ventilation: If your attic traps heat and moisture, it can "bake" the shingles from the bottom up. This often leads to clawed shingles or cupped shingles where the edges rise while the center remains flat.
Why Are My New Roof Shingles Buckling?
It can be alarming to see shingles curling on a new roof. But this is a common concern for homeowners. Unlike aging roofs, new roof shingles buckling is often caused by:
Improper Installation: If shingles are not nailed correctly or are layered improperly over an existing roof, they may lift or buckle.
Thermal Shock: Sudden temperature changes during installation can cause temporary rippling.
Defective Materials: While rarer, a bad batch of shingles can sometimes be the culprit.
If you see shingles buckling on a new roof, it is vital to contact a professional immediately to check your warranty status.
Do Curling Shingles Need to Be Replaced?
A common question we receive is: "Do curling shingles need to be replaced?".
The short answer is usually yes. Once a shingle has curled, its structural integrity is compromised. When shingles lift up, it creates openings for water intrusion, which can then seep beneath the shingles. Curled roof shingles also lose their granule surface coating faster, diminishing UV protection and weather resistance.
How to Fix Curling Shingles: Your Options
Here are your options when facing curling asphalt shingles or a buckling roof:
1. Spot Repairs
For minor curling in a few isolated areas, curling shingles repair may be possible. A professional can carefully lift and re-secure individual curled shingles, adding a bit of asphalt roof cement beneath for re-bonding. However, this is often a temporary measure.
2. Full Re-Roofing
If curling is extensive across large areas, repairs will fall short. A full roof replacement is often the only adequate solution when severe curling occurs. Don’t keep chasing recurring leaks and repairs.
3. Professional Inspection
If you’re unsure of the severity, contact Utz Roofing. Our technicians will perform a thorough roof inspection, assessing how widespread the roof shingles bowing or buckling is, and if spot repairs or re-roofing is best.
The Risks of Ignoring Buckled Shingles
Curled shingles will only worsen over time without proper action. The longer you wait to address roof shingles lifting, the higher the potential for substantial leaks and water damage.
Continued neglect can lead to:
Exponential spread of water intrusion areas.
Further damage to roof decks, rafters, and insulation.
Potential mold growth from trapped moisture.
Significantly higher costs for repairs later on.
Contact Utz Roofing for an Inspection
As O'Fallon's trusted roofing contractor for over 5 decades, no one knows local roofs better than Utz Roofing. We've seen every type of roofing issue, including shingles curling and buckling.
Don't take a "wait and see" approach hoping the curling stabilizes. Once shingles lose that essential bond, problems accelerate. Be proactive contact Utz Roofing at the first sight of any curled shingles. We will thoroughly assess how far the problem has spread and advise the best solution to stop the damage in its tracks.
Protect your investment contact Utz Roofing today!
