Roof Membrane Shrinking Solutions
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When Roof Shrinkage Occurs It's Time to Call in a Roofing Contractor
Most roofs are installed with what's known as a roofing membrane between the roof deck and surface materials. The membrane provides a waterproof layer of protection for everything that's down below.
Typically, you'll never have an issue with the roof membrane as long as the surface materials are properly maintained. But there is one problem that can occur even with a new roof. It's possible for the roof membrane to contract and shrink to a smaller size, which can impact the entire roofing system.
Roof shrinkage is a serious issue because it can go unnoticed until it causes significant damage. The reason behind the shrinking can be influenced by the roofing material itself. What causes shrinking on a flat EPDM roof may not be common at all for low slope roofs with asphalt shingles.
Worried your roof membrane may be shrinking? The professionals at LOA can inspect your roof for FREE to determine if shrinkage is a problem.
Why Roof Shrinkage Occurs
Shrinkage is an issue that's all about contraction. One or more things is causing the roofing membrane to contract and throw the whole system out of whack. The most common problems that cause roof shrinkage are:
Improper Installation
A poor installation is one of the most common roofing problems in general, and that's certainly the case with roof shrinking. Professional installation should account for a certain level of expansion and contraction in order to prevent shrinkage. The roofer also needs to be mindful of the membrane material that's selected. EPDM, modified bitumen and asphalt are all commonly used for the membrane. The install of flat roofs, EPDM roofs and synthetic rubber membranes has to be precise because shrinkage is more likely.Fluctuating Temperatures
Heat and cold are known to make many materials expand and contract, including roofing membrane materials. If you're in an environment where it can get extremely hot or extremely cold you have to be very careful about the materials that are used for roofing since nature is working against you.Poor Ventilation
Ventilation helps to regulate the temperature of the roof, which is not only important for preventing shrinkage but also ice dams. If you're seeing other signs of poor ventilation like mold on the roof and moisture in the attic then shrinkage may be from poor ventilation.UV Damage
The roof is exposed to hours of ultraviolet rays every day. The UV exposure can affect just about any material given enough time, which is why it's a common problem for roofs. EPDM roofs with membranes made out of synthetic rubber membranes are very susceptible to shrinkage from UV damage. If that isn't taken into account when the roof is installed sooner or later the membrane will shrink.Aging
Roofing materials are durable, but they aren't indestructible. As the roof and membrane ages the wear and tear that adds up. The material becomes less flexible and resilient, making shrinkage more likely.

Signs of Roof Shrinkage
Protecting everything below the roof is impossible if the membrane is shrinking. If you notice any of the warning signs here it's time
Roof Leaks
A roof leak is a clear sign that something is wrong with the roof membrane. Preventing water penetration is the exact reason why a roof membrane is used. If it's perfectly intact there wouldn't be a leaky roof to fix.
Flashing Issues
When a roof shrinks it will pull the flashing out of place, which is one of the first noticeable signs. No matter why it occurred, if the flashing is damaged it will need to be repaired.
Damaged Shingles
If the membrane beneath shingles starts to move the shingles will too. Damaged shingles, missing shingles and uneven shingles are all possible when the roofing membrane is shrinking.

What to Do If Your Roofing System is Shrinking
A shrinking roof membrane has to be fixed or more significant problems will happen. Even energy efficiency will be impacted when the membrane isn't sitting properly. You'll need to do the following to get the problem corrected as soon as possible:
Contact Local Roofing Experts
A licensed, professional roofer is the only person who can tell you if the membrane is shrinking. LOA is happy to answer questions and provide more information about roof shrinkage if you thinks it's a problem.
Conduct a Roof Inspection
You'll need to go a step further and have the roof visually inspected to verify shrinkage is the problem. We offer free roof inspections any time shrinkage is suspected.
Check Your Roofing Warranties
When a roof shrinks it's often because of a material failure or a mistake on the roofer's part. If that's the case, the repair or roof replacement may be covered by a warranty.
Make the Recommended Repairs
If the membrane is indeed shrinking the roof will need to be fixed. If the shrinkage is isolated to one area of the roof it may be possible to simply repair the affected portion. But be prepared to replace the whole roof if it was an improper installation.
Prevent Future Problems With Regular Maintenance
Regular inspections and proper maintenance can help property owners catch issues like shrinking early before they cause serious problems.
Call LOA for a Free Inspection to Evaluate Shrinkage
A free roof inspection from LOA will reveal if the roofing system has started shrinking. Contact us by phone or online to schedule a free roof inspection.
