How To Fix Curling Shingles?

Curling shingles are a major warning sign of underlying roof problems. And you are also at risk of experiencing roof leaks issues because of this. Here, we will look at the reasons why this happens and how to fix curling shingles.

There are five main reasons for curling shingles and fixing the problems.

Poor Attic Ventilation

Hot air filled with moisture rises to your attic. This is a normal occurrence in all homes. As a result, proper attic ventilation is a major requirement in all buildings. Attic space ventilation helps get rid of the air filled with moisture the right way. That is, through the natural flow of air.

How does it happen? Natural clean air, which gets in through the attic space ventilation, simply sweeps away and replaces the moisture-filled air. And, you will not experience any problems.

However, if your attic is not well-ventilated, the air with moisture remains inside your attic. As a result, moisture- in the form of water vapor, increases and eventually condenses on your roof sheathing. Because of this, your roof sheathing soaks up, and your roof shingles begin to curl.

Poor attic ventilation also leads to high temperatures within your attic. This reduces the effectiveness of your roof shingles’ adhesive sealing strips. As a result, your roof shingles may begin to curl over time.

Poor ventilation is also one of the main reasons you will see mold growing inside your attic. Therefore, it is important to ensure there is adequate space ventilation in this area of your home.

Improper Installation

To protect your shingles from any form of damage, make sure to install them properly, according to the specific manufacturer’s instructions.

Not using enough nails for every shingle or placing the nails wrongly is a sure way for your shingles to start curling. Since the shingles won’t be held down properly, leaving them loose enough to curl easily.

Additionally, ensure that the professional installing your roof shingles has each of them lined up properly along its tar line. A tar line is an adhesive strip that is normally present on each shingle.

For the shingles to adhere properly, they must be lined up accordingly- along the tar line during installation. Otherwise, the shingles can curl or even fly off. Also, the sealing strip ensures each neighboring shingle tab remains in its original position. Preventing them from either curling or lifting. Especially during high winds.

Old Age

Aging is a common cause of curling on your roof shingles.

Suppose your asphalt roof is approximately 15- 20 years old. And, its shingles are curling; consider re-roofing. You’ll save a lot of money this way. That is before the curling shingles start letting in water and giving you much bigger problems to deal with.

Most roof shingles that have deteriorated due to aging will begin curling on the sides. To take care of this, you need a proper roof repair or complete replacement every once in a while—approximately every 25 years.

Depending on two major factors:

  • The type of shingles’ material you have used
  • The person who installed the shingle in the first place. If he/she did not install the shingles as they are supposed to, damage-including curling- happens sooner.

Multiple Layered Roofs

Some homeowners opt to put up a new roof on top of an old one instead of completely getting rid of the old one and starting over. This option seems to be cheaper than completely replacing the entire roof.

While this form of layering does save up on upfront costs, it also causes your shingles to start curling prematurely. And, you might end up spending a lot more replacing the curled shingles and dealing with the roof damage associated with them.

Product Defects

This is entirely the manufacturer’s fault but can also cause your roof shingles to curl easily. Defective shingles from manufacturers occur in 4 different ways:

  • The adhesion properties of the shingles’ bituminous grit and coating may be inadequate.
  • The substrate used during manufacture may be of poor quality
  • The sealing strip that has been provided may be inadequate
  • Defective shingles have a higher deterioration rate than that laid out in the manufacturer’s warranty.

Final Thoughts

Always check whether your roof is still under warranty when dealing with any form of roof damage.

If you find that your roof is still under warranty, first speak to the contractor as soon as possible. That is before you decide to take any action to handle the costs of curling shingles repairs you need yourself.

On the other hand, if you find that your roof is not under warranty anymore, and you must handle the costs of roof repair or replacement out of pocket- ensure to get a warranty with your new roof.

That’s right!

Getting a warranty is a recommended course of action when handling any matters concerning your roof, even if it’s just to fix curling shingles.

In addition, if you realize that your shingles are curling- make sure to locate the source or reason behind the curling as fast and as soon as possible. So you can reduce the possibility of any further damage to your home.

You might want to get the help of a roof repair expert on this one.

How often do you inspect your roof? Do you have any regular roof maintenance practices to ensure your roof remains healthy throughout? If not, maybe it’s time you start thinking of coming up with a regular roof maintenance schedule as a sure way of safeguarding the health and wellness of your home environment. It is the foundation of your personal health and wellness. And that of your entire family.

Mas Broto

Written by: Mas Broto

Mas Broto is a small business owner with 30 years experience in the real estate industry. He is the founder and editor of theDailyThrive.net, the most comprehensive free home improvement website on the planet!