Understanding and Preventing Roof Shrinkage

Shrinkage can affect EPDM or modified bitumen roofs. One major concern is the way it pulls the flashings at curbs, penetrations and walls, which often leads to splits and cracks that allow moisture to penetrate through and cause leaks.

Although roof shrinkage is more common in older and unreinforced rubber roof systems, that doesn’t mean it won’t happen in modern EPDM roofs, even with today’s technological advancements and improvements. Read on as Dynamic Roofing Concepts, Inc., your number one choice for shingle and metal roof installation, weighs in on its causes:

How Roof Shrinkage Happens

There are a few factors that can cause the EPDM membrane on your roof to shrink, which include aging of the material, poor installation and UV exposure. If the EPDM membrane is not applied to the roof correctly by a professional, it can result in shrinkage. Another cause is the quality of the EPDM membrane itself; if it’s of poor quality, its performance is reduced significantly over time which can result in shrinkage. The environment you live in can also be a factor, especially if the type of membrane installed isn’t made for consistently severe weather conditions.

Repairing and Preventing Roof Shrinkage

When you hire a trusted shingle roof contractor to fix your roof, they’ll properly replace the affected flashing and curbs and relieve the pressure and pulling by cutting and securing the field sheet with a termination bar or RUSS strip before installing a new layer of flashing.

To prevent roof shrinkage, a proper installation is highly recommended. A hired professional will lay out the modified bitumen material to relax for around 45 minutes before installing it in alternate or staggered end laps. The process is slightly different for EPDM; a ballast or coating is used to protect it from UV rays and heating.

As a trusted tile roofing contractor in the area, Dynamic Roofing Concepts, Inc. can get the job done professionally and efficiently. You can contact us at (813) 657-7663 or you can fill out our convenient contact form. We serve our customers in Florida, including Tampa and surrounding areas. Call us today!