For those living in Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs, air bubbles on your roof are an issue you may deal with from time to time. Air bubbles on a flat roof, also known as blisters, are a common problem that can lead to bigger issues if not fixed. These bubbles usually happen when air or moisture gets trapped between layers of roofing material. Over time, heat from the sun makes the air or water inside these pockets expand, which causes the roof surface to puff up or bubble. There are several reasons why this happens, and most of them have to do with how the roof was built or how it handles weather. Although identifying this problem may be easy, fixing it is another story. It is highly recommended that you contact a local service provider such as Cover All Exteriors to ensure your roof is in the best shape.
One big cause of roof bubbles is bad installation. When a flat roof is being put on, the surface needs to be dry, clean, and smooth. If the workers rush the job, or if they don’t press down the roofing materials properly, it can leave small air pockets behind. These pockets may not be a big deal at first, but after some time and exposure to the sun, they can grow into bigger bubbles. Also, if the glue or adhesive used during the installation is not spread evenly or doesn’t stick well, it can allow air or moisture to get trapped under the roofing material.
Moisture is another major reason for roof bubbles. If it rains or the humidity is high while the roof is being installed, moisture can get trapped under the layers. Even a small amount of water can turn into a problem later. Once the sun heats the roof, that water turns into steam and expands. Since it has nowhere to go, it pushes up on the roofing material, causing bubbles to form. Sometimes, moisture can also come from inside the house or building if there is poor ventilation or steam from showers and cooking. This will lead to bubbling on your roof, and the need for an expert to repair it for you.
Why Flat Roofs?
Flat roofs are more likely to get bubbles because water tends to sit on them rather than run off like on a sloped roof. If the roof has small cracks or weak spots, water can slowly get in. Once the water gets in, when the roof gets hot, the water turns into vapor and creates pressure. This pressure causes the roof surface to lift, forming a bubble. This is more likely to happen in places with hot weather or big changes in temperature between day and night. Another thing that can cause roof bubbles is the way roofing materials react to temperature changes. Most roofing materials expand when they get hot and shrink when they cool down. If the roof wasn’t built to handle this, the materials can start to pull apart. When that happens, small gaps or spaces form, and these can trap air or moisture. After many cycles of heating and cooling, the problem gets worse, and bubbles start to show.
Overall, bubbles on a flat roof usually happen because of air or water getting trapped under the roofing layers. This can be caused by rushing the installation, working in bad weather, or using materials that don’t work well together. Changes in temperature and poor ventilation can make the problem worse. While these bubbles might not cause leaks right away, they can lead to costly damage if ignored. Fixing the problem early and making sure the roof is built the right way can help prevent bubbles and make the roof last longer. If you are noticing a part of your flat roof bubbling up, contact Cover All Exteriors today and speak with one of our professionals.