Why Roofs Matter More in a Sacramento Summer

Family, Serving Sacramento Since 1888

Most homeowners we speak with say “It’s not raining so why should I worry about my roofing?” In this blog, the roofing contractors in Sacramento from Yancey Home Improvements will explain what the brutally hot and bright Sacramento sun does to your asphalt shingles. What heat can do when it builds up in your attic. Summer roof heat also affect your HVAC efficiency if your attic ventilation is inefficient.

When Is Heat Good For A Roof?

Right after a new roof installation in Sacramento, the heat helps seal the shingles and bond them together for a tight, leak-free, cohesive unit. However, it an be bad during the installation and we will explain why.

The sealants need to be pliable when first laid down to help them begin to bond. But, during that process, it is not safe to be working on the roof because they can cause the shingles to slip and tear under the workman’s foot steps creating a dangerous condition. Not to mention if the small tears and movement goes unnoticed during the roofing process, it could lead to premature leaks and failure.

This is why during very hot Sacramento days, you’ll see the crews pack it up before noon allowing what progress that has been made, seal up and create that bond over night. A moderately hot day, say around 85 degrees helps the shingle’s thermal bond and helps them lay flat. Asphalt shingles that have bonded overnight are then safe to walk on and progress to continue.

Okay, So Heat Is Good In the Beginning – What About Months and Years Later?

High quality GAF Timberline HDZ shingles are designed to last 30 years and longer. The lighter the shingle color, the less susceptible to heat it will be. This is due to the ability to reflect light rather than absorb it. It’s why lighter shingles are called “cool roofs”. Choose a lesser quality 3-tab roof shingle and expect a lifespan of less than 20 years.

Regardless, with all asphalt shingles, here are some the effects of relentless heat from California’s blazing sunshine:

• Distortion and Softening: Walk across the street barefoot in the summer and you’ll quickly learn that asphalt absorbs heat! Since asphalt is a primary component of shingles, heat will soften them over time. In older roofs, the shingles can curl up, lose rigidity and shape. A warped, misshapen roof shingle can introduce water intrusion, introduce molds, and be more susceptible to wind.
• Thermal Expansion and Contraction: Sacramento roofing experiences persistent swings in temperature day after day. This expansion (with heat) and contraction (when cooled) is actually movement which can, over time, lead to small cracks. The process can cause the shingle to break away from the nails and be susceptible to blowing off in strong winds.
• Granule Loss: Asphalt shingles have a protective coating of tiny mineral granules designed to reflect UV rays that would otherwise directly attack the asphalt. Over a period of climate changes, your roof will experience granule loss. You can see evidence of this when you clean your gutters or at the point of your drip line near the foundation. Loss of granules means faster degradation of the asphalt.
• Gutter and Downspout Health: The ability of your roof to shed water is dependent on your gutters and downspouts being clutter-free. If water backs up at the eves, water can begin to penetrate the soffit area. Clogged gutters prevent the roof from efficiently shedding water.

Those are the primary contributors to premature aging and the failure of an otherwise quality Sacramento roofing job.

What Are Some Other Effects Of An Aging Roof?

Besides the roofing shingles, here are some other things to consider on Sacramento roofing:

• Attic Ventilation: Having adequate ridge vents and soffit vents are critical to the life of your roof. When the attic gets hot, hot air rises and escapes through the ridge vent. The rising hot air draws cooler air through your soffit vents creating a ventilation system. If the process is ineffective, heat builds up in the attic and contributes to shingle and other roofing material degradation by heating it from below. The problem is exacerbated by the combination of heat above from the sun and heat below from the hot attic.
• HVAC Strain: While not a direct contributor to roofing shingle degradation, a hot attic without adequate insulation will radiate heat down into your home…it has no other place to go. The result is your HVAC has to now work overtime to keep your home comfortable.

Now that you have determined that the roof on your Sacramento home might need a replacement, here’s what you should look for.

Yancey Home Improvements – Your Trusted Sacramento Roofer!

• Qualifications: A qualified roofer like Yancey Home Improvements will have alliances and certification from the major roofing materials industry leaders. We are a GAF Master Elite Roofer and also an  Roofing Partner. This affords us special training and access to advanced techniques leading to more robust warranties on materials and guarantees for work performed.

• Licensing: A roofer (in fact any home improvement contractor) needs to have a license issued by the California State Contractors Licensing Board. Yancey Home Improvements holds the correct C39-Roofing license and has held the license over 20 years.
• Time In Business: Many of us have seen the effects of severe weather and “storm chaser” roofers. Roofers from out of state come in and make low bids to win business. The reality is they are often not licensed or credentialed (read that Not Qualified) to install the products they bid. In fact, sometimes they “bait and switch” – sell one thing and deliver an inferior product.
  
  Only do business with a local, qualified contractor who knows the rules in California. Yancey Home Improvements is a member of the Yancey Family who has been around Sacramento since the 1880’s. Yancey Company was incorporated in 1939…the same year Hewlett Packard, Dollar General and Albertson’s started up!
• Local Reviews and Testimonials: Yancey Home Improvements is proud of the work we do and are always encouraging our clients to read our reviews and check our out testimonials. We have a list of local references we will share with you. Did you know that Yancey once roofed the Capital of California? It’s true.

Let’s Get Started!

Call us or complete one of our request forms and you’ll soon be talking to a qualified roofing consultant. One who has only your safety and security in mind. Like a fiduciary in the finance world…we are only after making your home more energy efficient, safer for you and your family and protection of your home and belonging. Call Today!