Buckling shingles are a sign of a major problem with your roof. It doesn’t matter how old or new your roof is, buckling shingles indicate it needs a professional inspection right away.
Buckling shingles look like something is underneath the shingles pushing them upward. You also may have curling shingles, where the center of the shingle looks concave and the edges turn up. Both issues are noticeable from ground level and require the attention of a qualified contractor.
Moisture in Underlayment and Roof Decking
You may have curling or buckling shingles for a number of reasons, but the common denominator is moisture. Moisture is detrimental to a roofing system. If you had a roof replacement recently but kept the same roof decking, the wood may have absorbed moisture before the new roof was installed. Moisture can make the decking move and cause the shingles to buckle.
The felt underlayment also could have absorbed moisture. This could make the underlayment wrinkle and push the shingles upward. Both issues require the attention of a professional — repair may involve replacing damaged shingles and wrinkled portions of the felt.
Top Reason: Attic Ventilation
Out of all the causes of buckling shingles, the most common and the most damaging reason is not enough ventilation in the attic. Hot air and condensation build up in the attic and make the shingles curl or buckle away from their proper place on the roof.
Consequences of Inadequate Ventilation
While curling or buckling shingles may be an outward symptom of an attic ventilation problem, a lack of proper airflow affects more than just the shingles.
In the winter, an attic without enough ventilation can lead to ice dams. Hot air that escapes from your home rises to the attic and becomes trapped. It heats up the roof and causes snow and ice to melt, only to have the water refreeze on the eaves. This causes a backup of moisture that only serves to rot your roof deck and create the perfect environment for mold to grow in your attic.
In the summer, an overly hot attic makes your air conditioner work harder than ever to cool down your home. This causes the A/C to wear out faster than it should, and makes your cooling bills skyrocket.
On top of these issues, ineffective attic ventilation means your roof will degrade faster than normal. The buckling and curling make it so the asphalt shingles don’t protect your home from precipitation like they should. The roof, and your entire home, will suffer as a result.
Call the Roof Doctor if you spot buckling shingles, because getting to the root of the problem and fixing it swiftly is essential to prolong the life of your roof.