The process by which your shingles self-seal is vital. Sealing is mandatory in lengthening and preserving the newly installed shingles and protecting the contents within the structure from moisture. When the shingles are properly sealed, your roof becomes more durable to wearing out and tearing. This can also make your home or property impervious to roof leaks. There will be cases, such as wind driven rain that water is blown horizontally towards the underside of shingles. Sealed shingles help keep your underlayment’s and roof decking watertight.
Not every house and roof are situated in the same climate. It will be colder in the northern regions and warmer in the southern regions. It’s common knowledge that we need heat to seal our asphalt shingle roofs. Most companies would suggest that it’s best to work in warmer temperatures. For properties in the northern regions of the United States its best to wait until Spring or Summer before starting a roofing project using shingles.
If shingles are installed in frigid temperatures, they may not seal, and this could risk shingles being blown off or torn. Sealants on shingles are not of the “peel-and-stick” variety. When shingles are installed, they require a period of sufficient RADIANT heat for activation of the sealant.
Radiant heat and not air temperature – is the key to shingle sealant activation. Radiant heat refers to the heat that “radiates” from a warm object (e.g., the sun) to people or objects (e.g., your roof). Even on cool days, the sun can warm surfaces such as your skin and your roof. If it is 30 degrees and sunny, your roof can be over 100 degrees, allowing your shingles to seal even if installed when it is cooler out. The optimal radiant heat temperature is 70 degrees. For best results its recommended that the roof maintain this for at least 24 hours continuously.
The tricky part about this is estimating the length of time it takes for activation to occur in your shingles. This is because sealant activation depends on a few factors, including where your home is located (e.g., under a bunch of shady trees or in full sun), the direction your roof slopes are facing (in the northern hemisphere, the south facing slopes will receive the most sun, and thus, the most radiant heat), the slope of your roof, and the climate you live in.
The good news is that your shingles will seal, even if you feel like all the odds are stacked against them!
Many shingle manufacturers have added substances that enhance the sealants “tackiness” and hardiness, making them seal more quickly, in more adverse conditions. If your shingles were installed correctly, you should have nothing to worry about.
Getting shingles to seal is just one of the many reasons why it is so important to hire a reputable contractor who will stand behind their work with a workmanship warranty! When you hire a quality roofer, you can trust that your shingles will seal, and you will not have to worry about your roof for years to come.
If you are looking for a premium roofing company near you, make sure to give Providence Roofing a call! We proudly offer our services in 4 locations plus surrounding towns. We have offices in Boone, Hickory, Statesville, and Huntersville North Carolina.
