Shingle design affects roof qualitiy
Posted by Jacqi ragsdale on Fri, Jan 13, 2012 @ 04:18 PM
Shingle roofs are designed to shed water. There are a couple factors involving the roof system that determine the quality.
Slope:
The risk of water penetration increases as the slope of the roof decreases. Typically, slopes below 4/12 are more susceptible to water penetration. If there is a low sloping roof, special underlayment is required. Areas of the roof where water is ponding, increases the chances of leaks and rotting. So having a steep sloping roof sheds water nicely because the water is able to run off the roof fastly.
Wind:
Wind can uplift shingles, allowing water to get under the uplifted shingles. Shingle design and proper installation can prevent wind uplift. Shingle design elements include sealant strips, which prevent uplift once they are sealed. Organic shingles are stiffer than asphalt shingles, so they do not need as strong of an adhesive sealant as asphalt shingles.
Fastening:
Improper fastening of shingles causes shingles to easily become loose. Three common mistakes are high nailing, using too few fasteners, and angled or slanted fastening. As long as the manufacturers installation instructions are followed, fastening the shingles to the roof is simple.
Flashing:
Where there are breaks in the roof, for example skylights, hips, valleys, ridges, vents, special care needs to be taken. When leaks occur, it is usually traceable to workmanship of the flashing.