Do you have a bunch of roof shingles lying around, and you don’t know what to do with them?
Do you know those roof shingles can still be very useful for you? Yes, you can still use them to fix your roof when it goes bad.
This article will tell you how your unused roof shingles can go bad, how you can stop them, and other ways you can effectively store your shingles.
Here’s If Stored Shingles Go Bad:
Yes, your stored shingles can go bad if you don’t store them well. These shingles are usually affected by temperature, moisture, lack of ventilation, and exposure to adverse weather conditions.
When shingles go bad, they lose their color, grit, and adhesiveness.
Do Roof Shingles Go Bad In Storage?
Roof shingles are overlapping roof coverings that are the most common forms of roof coverings. They can be made from a wide variety of materials. When you close your eyes and try to picture the roof of a building, yeah, that’s what a roof shingle looks like.
Most of them are flat, rectangular, and installed in an overlapping manner from the base of the roof to the top.
It is wise to have some of these roof shingles stored up to easily repair your roof if there’s damage to the already installed ones. These damages could be a result of rainstorms or winds.
So the question is, do roof shingles get bad when you store them for a long time?
The answer to this question actually depends on the form of storage used to preserve the roof shingles. Roof shingle is very useful for repelling rain and water, but it doesn’t do too well with moisture.
This implies that if you store these shingles carelessly, they might get sogged up and lose their color, grit, and texture.
Many factors can affect the state of your roof shingles in storage. They include:
- The moisture of the surrounding:
The humidity of the place you want to store your roof shingles matters a lot. They are highly affected by moisture as it causes them to lose their strength.
- Temperature:
Despite the fact that roof shingles are exposed to very high temperatures on your roof, you shouldn’t store them outside in the sun. These will make them lose their color. The same can be said for cold temperatures. Extremely high or low temperatures can degrade your shingles and lose their adhesiveness.
- Stacking of shingles:
When you stack shingles, there will be little to no ventilation. This will cause them to pull up moisture and lose their grit with time.
How Long Do Unused Roofing Shingles Last?
There is no specific time for which you can store roofing shingles. However, experts state that the average shelf life for roofing shingles is one year.
After this time, these shingles might begin to harden and lose their value. This time can be shortened by poor storage methods.
To ensure that the roofing shingles last as long as possible, you have to be conscious about storing them effectively.
Stored shingles can be sold if they are still in good condition. Although you also have to consider that shingles come in different sizes, colors, and shades.
If the shingles are in good condition and match the already existing roof, they can be resold.
There are many different types of roof shingles. The materials they are made from can extensively affect their lifespan. Let’s take a look at the types of shingles:
- Asphalt shingles:
These are the most common shingles and by far the cheapest. They are easy to install and can last up to 20 years.
- Rubber shingle:
These are very similar to asphalt shingles but more expensive. They are very easy to maintain and are very durable. They can last up to 25 years.
- Tile roofing shingles:
These shingles are very thin but become heavy when used as roofing materials. They are weather-proof, durable, and can last up to 150 years.
- Metal roof shingles:
These are stylish and come in various forms and colors. They are lightweight, easy to install and last for over 100 years.
- Composite roof shingles:
This roof is made from recycled plastic products. Depending on the plastic material, they are very affordable, need low maintenance, and can last up to 20 years.
How Do You Store Unused Shingles?
The most common place to store roofing shingles is in the garage. Although, it can be stored in other places like the attic, outside the house, or in a hallway.
However, you have to be aware that to effectively store your shingles, you need to do the following:
- Store them up in a place that is cool, dry, and free from moisture.
- Don’t stack them up too high because it will reduce the ventilation and increase the moisture uptake. Spread them out as far as possible.
- Don’t leave your shingles under the direct impact of the sun and other weather conditions.
- If you want to store them outside, keep them in the shade and cover them totally with waterproof material.
Is It Safe To Stack Shingles On A Roof
Yes, you can stack your roofing shingles on your roof if you need them to repair or construct the roof soon. It is relatively safe.
To do these, you have to be very careful. You may need to take the shingles up the roof one after the other unless you have a means of lifting them.
However, storing them there for too long is not very advisable because it subjects them to many factors that can damage them.
These include wind, rain, falling off, breaking to pieces, etc.
Can You Use Old Shingles?
Yes, of course, you can use old shingles if it matches the previous design shape and color on the roof. A large number of them may have lost their grit or adhesiveness. You must use the shingles that are still good.
This will ensure your repairs stay put, and you don’t have to spend more on trying to fix it again.
Summary
Roof Shingles are very common and affordable roofing materials. They can be made from a wide variety of materials and come in different sizes, shapes, and colors.
These shingles can be stored for future use. They can be used to fix a leaky or damaged roof. However, if they are not stored properly, they can go bad.
If well preserved, these shingles can be sold or reused effectively.
References:
homeguides.sfgate.com/storing-roof-shingles-safely-80611.html
