Asphalt shingle blisters are one of the most common reasons for roof repair service calls. These blisters often look like hail damage, but they’re fixed differently. In this blog, home improvement contractor, Pritchett Bros, takes a look at what causes asphalt shingle blisters and what can be done to fix and them.
Causes of Asphalt Shingle Blisters
Asphalt shingles are made of two parts. During manufacture, the backing material is soaked in hot asphalt. This backing material can be made of recycled paper, also known as “organic” shingles or fiberglass. A layer of granules is then embedded on the asphalt-soaked material. This layer adds roofing color and other features, such as ultraviolet (UV) protection and algae resistance. Variations in temperature and humidity during manufacture may result in trapped moisture in the asphalt layer.
As the roof gets heated by exposure to the sun, these pockets of moisture expand, resulting in blisters. Poor attic ventilation and insulation can also increase the roof temperature and cause asphalt shingle blisters even during cool days. In addition to blisters, poorly insulated attics cause ice dams to form near the gutters.
How to Address Asphalt Blisters
Old roofs are more likely to develop asphalt shingle blisters. Manufacturers have been implementing newer, more stringent quality standards that have helped reduce the instances of asphalt shingle blisters. Roofing installed in the last decade is less likely to form blisters, and, if it does happen to your roof, its factory warranty should cover it. For out-of-warranty roofs, asphalt shingles can be replaced if your roof is still in good condition.
Poor attic ventilation is another thing that should be addressed. Since hot air tends to rise, your roof should have ridge vents to release hot and moist air. The difference in air pressure should pull cool air in through soffit vents. For larger roofs, you can have wired or solar-powered exhaust fans installed. By keeping attic temperatures close to exterior conditions, problems like ice dams and warped framing can be avoided.
Pritchett Bros is your leading provider of roofing and siding installation services. Give us a call at (812) 275-3185, or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Bloomington, IN, and surrounding areas.
