4 Ways to Deal With Intense Roof Heat

November 10, 2020

How You Can Prevent Damage Caused By Intense Roof Heat

We’ve previously gone over how rain is the worst enemy of your roof. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s the only threat to your roof’s integrity. Intense heat can also cause a number of problems to an aging roof.

1. Pick a Reflective Color For Your Roof

The main way heat builds up in your roof is due to the intense rays of the sun slowly heating it up. These rays are made up of ultraviolet or UV light that can be dangerous to you and your roof. Darker colors will absorb these rays and can cause your roof to have a much higher temperature. So a great way to deal with intense roof heat is to pick lighter colors that reflect these rays. These colors tend to be bright colors like white or light blue.

2. Pick The Right Material That Can Deal With The Heat

Roofing materials are not made equal. Some have no problems when it comes to hot weather, while others will suffer greatly from it. For example, clay tiles have no problems withstanding the 120-degree temperatures Arizona and Texas have been experiencing. Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, will have their lifespans shortened by a significant amount due to the 120-degree heatwave.

3. Use a Roof Coating or Sealcoat

Roof coating or sealcoating is an excellent way of making sure that your roof stays in top condition regardless of the weather. It creates a protective layer on your roof that can both reflect harmful UV rays and excessive rain. You basically hit two birds with one stone if you have a roof coating protecting your roof.

4. Have Proper Ventilation Available

The most dangerous part of having to deal with intense roof heat isn’t when the sun is shining. Instead, it is most dangerous after the sun has set. The main reason why this is the case is due to the heat pooling in your roof during the day followed by thermal shock in the evening when your roof starts to rapidly cool. Thermal shock will cause your roof to expand and contract every day, slowly degrading it. However, this can be easily countered by having a good ventilation system in your roof.

A ventilation system can keep your roof’s temperature uniform throughout the entire day. It also makes sure that your roof is much cooler when the evening comes, minimizing the effect of thermal shock.

Final Thoughts

Intense roof heat may be a major problem for most Arizona and Texas roofs these past few weeks. However, it can be easy to deal with as long as you know what you need to do.