Does your roof look like it’s peeling and covered in a bunch of dark, small blisters? If so, you likely have blistering shingles. Many homeowners see such a symptom and assume it’s nothing to worry about. However, blistering shingles are actually an urgent problem that you should fix as soon as possible to prevent future damage to your home.
If you live in or around Lincoln, Omaha, Milford, or Seward, Nebraska, be sure to call Nelson Contracting at (402) 464-2418 to schedule a free roof inspection before the damage to your roof worsens.
Why You Need to Fix Blistering Shingles in Nebraska ASAP
Like blisters on your skin, blistering shingles begin as harmless bubbles before popping. The bubbles can ruin the appearance of your roof, though they will not cause actual problems until they open up. Once the blisters pop, however, your roof’s weatherproofing will no longer work as well as it should. They leave your roof vulnerable to water damage and infiltration by rain and snow.
With exposed material, your roof will experience excessive UV and water damage. Untreated blistering can reduce your roof’s lifespan and create many costly repairs in the future. If you can repair the blisters before compromising the weatherproofing, you can elongate the roof’s lifespan and eliminate future repair risks.
As soon as you notice bubbles, you must avoid popping them to protect the roof’s integrity. Do not walk across the shingles or place anything heavy on them. If you notice any tree branches hanging near the shingles, trim them back before one pops a bubble.
What Causes Shingle Blistering on a Roof?
Shingle blistering happens for two main reasons:
Moisture Between the Roof’s Layers
If your installer or manufacturer improperly created the roof, you may have trapped moisture between the layers. Most roofs have three separate layers (the backing, asphalt, and granules) that protect your home.
Suppose the water becomes trapped within these layers. In that case, heat exposure from the sun could evaporate the moisture into gas, creating large vapors that would expand the roof from within, causing surface blistering.
Lack of Ventilation
Shingle blistering can also happen from problems within your home itself. Poorly ventilated attics can trap heat and send it into the roof, where any moisture will evaporate. Hot water vapors within the roof layers will cause the entire structure to expand and bubble up.
If water gets trapped within the roof, you also may face issues in the winter when it freezes and expands. If you have ice dams, you should contact a professional roofing service to discuss your repair options.
The Difference Between Hail Damage and Blistering
Many people look at their roofs and assume that the shingle blistering is just hail damage. How can you tell the difference?
Examine your roof and look for these qualities:
- Damage indentations: Check to see if your roof has any indents from hail. Typically, hail damage will cause a concave indentation from the object’s impact. Blistering shingles have raised lumps and a bubbled-up texture.
- Damage surface area: Shingle blistering usually affects the entire roof since the build-up of hot moisture disperses fairly evenly. Most hail storms leave less consistent patterns of destruction. Consider the total scattering and surface area of the deformities.
- Unpopped blisters: Hail storms will not create any bubbles on the roof. If you notice any unpopped blisters, it’s likely shingle blistering.
Determining roof problems can be challenging, especially when you’re not a professional. We recommend seeking an expert roof inspection before diving into any projects. You don’t want to waste your funds by repairing or replacing a roof the wrong way.
How to Prevent Shingle Blistering in the Future
Shingle blistering is a huge pain. Luckily, you can practice a few different preventative measures to avoid this complication in the future.
First, you should opt for higher-quality shingles the next time you replace your roof. More durable shingles are less likely to bubble, pop, or blister from trapped heat and moisture.
You can prevent the issue at its cause by resolving any ventilation problems in your attic. With a lack of insulation or proper ventilation, your attic’s heat will inevitably cause roofing problems again.
By resolving attic ventilation troubles, you can reduce your energy costs, enjoy more comfortable interior temperatures, and avoid unnecessary roof repairs.
When considering your attic’s ventilation, make sure that you have vents on the ridges and eaves of the attic. If you end up replacing your roof entirely, be sure to have your roofers check your ventilation adequacy.
Receive a Roof Inspection from Nelson Contracting Today
Prevent future expenses and extend your roof’s lifespan by repairing blistering shingles before they get worse. At Nelson Contracting, we operate throughout Lincoln, Omaha, Milford, Seward, NE, and surrounding cities. We will diagnose your roof’s problems and create a plan of action to resolve them.
Call us at Nelson Contracting for a roof inspection and repair estimate today at (402) 464-2418!
