Issue with Asphalt Roofing shingles!!!!

18 years ago

We are building in Central Texas in a new small subdivision (weÂre the only house so far), and itÂs a bit up on the hill. MOST of the houses in the area have asphalt shingles that generally do very well, but since we are at a higher elevation the wind is significantly stronger. Since we have been building in the last several months, a couple of recent wind storms have wreaked havoc with our shingles. Our builder says that the issue is that since our roof was placed in the winter it has not appropriately sealed- and will not until temperatures rise. This has been confirmed by several local sources.

We have a traditional home with a gabled roof. (picture attached)

Our questions:

1. Did we make a mistake by using asphalt in this wind zone?

2. Does our builder's explanation make sense?

3. Would it be too costly to switch to a higher end roof at this point?

4. Would it be too costly not to do so in the long run as the spring winds are stronger, hail storms will wreak more havoc and- if somehow the underlying felt lifts off- water may infiltrate?

Any input is appreciated!!

Here is a link that might be useful:

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Comments (4)

mightyanvil
18 years ago
Asphalt shingles resist wind uplift by small deposits of asphalt between the courses that seal each shingle to the one below it. The deposits have to get hot enough to soften and adhere to the lower shingle therefore in a high wind area it is wise to shingle a roof in warm weather.
carterinms
18 years ago
What wind loads are your shingles rated for? Are they 30 yr, 40 yr, or lifetime? Some of the 40 and lifetime shingles can be installed to withstand up to 130 mph winds, although the guarantees are limited (ours are guaranteed for 10 years).

I would think that it would be too costly to redo the roof at this point. I would wait and see how the shingles hold up through the summer. Replacing the asphalt with a higher grade asphalt would probably run you $150-$200 per square. Metal would be somewhere around $300/sq and I hear that the metal that looks like shingle is even higher.
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txbonedoc
Original Author
18 years ago
They are 30 year AR rated for wind resistance to 110 mph.
sierraeast
18 years ago
Back in the old asphalt 3-tab shingle days in the winter here in the mojave desert, we put dabs of henrys roof cement out of a caulking tube to get the shingles to stick as it was too cold for the seal tabs to adhere as mentioned above.

I doubt any roofer would be willing to do that theses days unless you open your wallet, but you might consider doing it diy in order to keep the remainig shingles on your roof as well as replacing the missing.