Roof Shrinkage: Why It Happens and How to Prevent It

According to experts, EPDM and modified bitumen are the most popular membranes to use in commercial roofing projects. After all, they are affordable and durable, so plenty of building owners opt to use them as a roofing material. However, they do come with a few problems and one of the most prominent ones is roof shrinkage. But why exactly does roof shrinkage occur in some commercial roofs?

Why Roof Shrinkage Happens

If you’re wondering why roof shrinkage occurs, any roofer will tell you that they usually occur if the material is poorly manufactured or wasn’t installed properly. This is because the membranes will pull at flashings at walls, curbs and penetrations, which in turn causes pressure that results in cracks, tears, ridges and even eventual leaks.

How to Prevent and Repair Roof Shrinkage

Luckily, preventing roof shrinkage can be easily done. For starters, apart from picking a quality membrane, proper installation is the best way you can prevent it from ever occurring. To properly install a modified bitumen roof, the material should be laid out for 45 minutes so it can relax and then alternate the end laps once they’re installed. EPDM roofs, meanwhile, can be properly installed with the use of a ballast or a roof coating to prevent UV rays from heating it up and causing shrinkage.

When it comes to repairing or replacing a roof membrane that is suffering from shrinkage, on the other hand, it’s never recommended that you attempt a DIY to get the job done. Instead, simply turn to a roofing expert like Kingdom Roofing to do it for you. That way, you can minimize mistakes and ensure that your commercial roof is properly repaired or replaced.

Need someone who can help you install new EPDM membranes on your roof? Don’t hesitate to approach the pros of Kingdom Roofing. When it comes to residential roofing and roof repair services, we are the leading experts to turn to and we won’t let you down! Give us a call at (941) 217-2411 or fill out our contact form to get a free quote from us today!