Asphalt shingle roofs are one of the most reliable roofing materials available in the market. It's cost-efficient but can protect your home against rain, snow, and extreme weather. If properly cared for, it can last for 20-30 years.
It's normal for your asphalt shingle roofs to look wavy during their first two to three days. The roof material hasn't settled in yet during this time, and you might see the gaps your roofers left behind. These gaps might be essential spaces that allow them to contract and expand without damaging each other. It should stabilize in less than a week and look normal from the yard.
If this isn't the case, your roof's waviness and rippling appearance are due to various factors. It might involve your roofing material, the installation team, and its structural support. Learn more about each of these common reasons below.
Roofers know they can't expose the felt underlayment underneath the asphalt shingles for too long to rain, high humidity, or morning dew. They will only remove asphalt shingles that they can replace in a day to reduce the underlayment's exposure to the elements.
If felt underlayment gets exposed to moisture, it will suffer from wrinkles. Nailing the asphalt shingles to the underlayment and sheathing underneath will cause it to look wavy, especially after it dries up with the asphalt shingles. The misaligned shingles will look rippled, and they might even suffer from minor damage.
Certified roofing specialists are the only ones who can achieve excellent asphalt shingle roof installations. Manufacturers will provide guarantees for their certified roofer's workmanship. The roofer has ensured the shingles have enough space to expand and contract. They also used the right nails to keep the material in place and prevent high wind damage.
If you DIY'd or hired a non-certified roofer to install your roof, you or the roofer might have used the wrong nails or did not leave a gap between each asphalt shingle. Even if your roof might not look wavy because you followed the manufacturers' instructions, the latter will still consider it invalid workmanship and void your warranty.
The sheathing and framing are two of the most important parts of the roof. The sheathing or decking will catch the asphalt shingle's nails. Your sheathing attaches to its framing made from durable rafters that form a triangular structure that ensures high strength. It's made of high-quality material, such as OSB or high-quality plywood.
If your sheathing was damp during installation, your roof would likely look wavy. Ripples might also indicate that the rafters and trusses are poorly constructed, causing its imbalanced and unappealing look.
Attic vents and exhaust fans let heat escape and introduce fresh air into your attic. These air circulation tools reduce condensation under the sheathing and beside the rafters. Excess condensation due to poor attic ventilation might let the moisture seep through the roofing material and cause warping. This will explain why your asphalt shingle roofs look wavy.
If you have yet to find a reliable roofer for your asphalt shingle installations and replacements, you can always count on us at Turbo Roofing. Contact us today to get started!