Are you prepared for the onslaught of hailstorms, windstorms, (perhaps even snowstorms) this winter, and the scorching sun next summer?

Whatever the weather, cracked or broken shingles on your roof means it isn’t healthy, and it won’t protect you and your family from the extremes of hot and cold that will hit us sometimes here in the Houston area. Does that mean you need a whole new roof if you have damaged shingles? Not unless the damage is extensive.

Shingles can be damaged by thermal expansion, causing both splitting and cracking. But splitting and cracking are different problems. Splitting occurs when the layers in the shingle separate and expand with the temperature when it rises, and then contract when the temperature goes back down. Eventually, the shingle tears and comes apart, leading to leaks in your home.

Another type of damage to shingles usually occurs with regular wear and tear. It’s called cracking, and the damage is more shallow, creating small tears on the surface of the shingle.

Split shingles, the more dangerously damaged shingles, need replacing because they can lead to pathways for large leaks in your home. Cracked shingles, in contrast, simply need filling in the cracks. Since it’s obviously cheaper to repair or replace a couple of shingles, rather than the whole roof, you need to be on the ball in making sure repairs are done expeditiously whenever your shingles are damaged to avoid greater problems.

Royal Crown Roofing offers you a free roof inspection to check out what needs to be done whether it’s a repair job or a roof replacement. Contact them for help.