If you’ve noticed your roof looking a little uneven or rippled, you’re not imagining things. Over time, some asphalt shingles can start to bubble or curl, changing what used to be a flat surface into one that looks wavy or lifted. It might not seem like a big deal at first, but once shingles start losing their shape, they’re also losing their ability to protect your home.
Understanding what causes these changes can help you get ahead of repairs. Bubbled or curled shingles usually signal a deeper issue that’s been building for years. Spotting them early, especially before the height of summer heat or rainy seasons, helps you stay in control and prevent more serious problems later on. Let’s take a deeper look at why asphalt shingles lose their shape and what you can do to stop it from getting worse.
Common Causes of Bubbling and Curling Shingles
There are a few main reasons why asphalt shingles start to bubble or curl up at the edges, and most have to do with what’s happening underneath the surface.
1. Moisture Trapped Under the Shingles
When water gets beneath the shingles, it can cause the material to swell or lift. This usually happens because of poor ventilation or blocked roof valleys, where rainwater should drain off smoothly. Sometimes the moisture comes from inside the home too. Warm, damp air rising from bathrooms and kitchens can get trapped in the attic, especially if there’s not enough airflow. Over time, the excess moisture finds its way beneath the shingles and causes warping.
2. Bad Installation Practices
Shingles have to be laid with consistent overlap and nailed down in the right spots. If nails are overdriven, underdriven, or placed too high, the shingle might shift or become loose. Using too few nails is another mistake that can cause the edges to curl. When installation isn’t done properly, the shingles struggle to hold their shape against heat, rain, and wind. After a few seasons of weather, they’re much more likely to bubble and peel back.
3. Poor Attic Ventilation
This is one of the most common causes of curling and bubbling shingles. Without good airflow, heat and moisture build up in the attic. This creates a pressure cooker effect under the roof that wears down shingles faster. In the summer, the heat from trapped air can bake the roof from below. In colder months, the same air can cause condensation, which means more moisture soaking into the layers of the roof structure. Either way, shingles begin to lose their hold and form.
One homeowner noticed their roof looked a little wavy late one summer. They figured it was just normal aging until a roofer checked their attic and found soggy insulation and zero airflow. Years of trapped heat and moisture had started breaking the shingles down from underneath.
Knowing what causes this kind of damage helps you understand what to watch out for next. If your shingles are lifting or look swollen in certain areas, there may be a bigger issue hiding beneath that could lead to leaks or higher energy bills.
Signs Your Asphalt Shingles Are Deteriorating
Before shingles start to fail completely, they usually show signs that something’s not right. Spotting these early warnings can help you act before you’re dealing with water damage or unexpected roof repairs.
Look for these signs:
– Raised or curled edges on shingles
– Blisters or bubbles across the surface of a shingle
– Shingles starting to slide down or expose the roofing felt underneath
– Spots that look darker, wetter, or cracked
– Granules collecting in gutters or downspouts
If you’re noticing any of these, start with a quick visual check from the ground. Walk around your house slowly and scan along rooflines. Use binoculars if needed, but avoid climbing on the roof yourself. It’s dangerous and easy to make things worse without meaning to. Also, check inside your attic. If you spot soggy insulation or smell mildew, that could be a sign of poor ventilation or a small leak that’s damaging the shingles from the inside out.
Even if everything looks fine from the outside, getting regular inspections can catch small issues before they grow. Roofs don’t always show their damage clearly, but by staying alert to these changes, you can keep your asphalt shingle roofing in better shape for longer.
Preventing Asphalt Shingle Deterioration
Once you know what causes shingles to bubble or curl, the next step is figuring out how to help prevent it. The good news is that with the right steps during installation and a bit of ongoing care, it’s possible to keep your asphalt shingle roofing from breaking down early.
Here are a few key ways to help prevent premature wear:
– Make sure your attic has plenty of ventilation. Good airflow helps control the temperature under your roof and cuts down on moisture buildup. Ridge vents, soffit vents, or attic fans can all help move warm air out and pull fresh air in.
– Use quality materials rated for your region’s climate. When new shingles go on your roof, they should withstand both summer heat and winter storms. Thicker, more durable shingles tend to hold their shape longer.
– Hire experienced professionals. How the shingles are installed matters just as much as the materials themselves. Nails should be placed properly, underlayment should be sealed, and rows need to be aligned correctly to prevent water from seeping through.
– Schedule regular inspections, especially after strong storms or seasonal changes. You may not always spot problems from the ground, but trained roofers will know where to look and can catch small issues before they get out of hand.
Think of it the same way you treat your car. You wouldn’t skip oil changes or ignore a strange noise. Even when your roof looks fine, some problems are slow burners. Taking a bit of time once or twice a year to have it checked can help keep those shingles lying flat and working like they should.
Fixing Damaged Asphalt Shingles
If you’ve already got bubbling or curling shingles, the best thing to do is act quickly before the issue gets worse. Depending on the condition of the roof, some shingles can be repaired, but others may be too far gone and need to be replaced.
Here’s how the fix usually plays out:
– Individual shingles that are curled but still intact might be secured temporarily if they haven’t cracked. This buys some time, especially in spots that don’t get a lot of water flow.
– If shingles are blistered or have fully lifted, they’ll likely need replacing. Roofing techs will remove the damaged pieces and install new ones in their place, resealing the area as needed.
– Damage in more than just a few sections could be a sign that the roof is nearing the end of its life. At that point, replacing the entire surface might be more cost-effective than ongoing patchwork.
– Moisture damage inside the attic can also be a factor. If that’s what caused the problem, fixing the surface shingles won’t be enough. The attic’s ventilation and insulation will need to be fixed too.
A homeowner once tried swapping out a few damaged shingles, thinking that would solve it. But they didn’t realize the edge underlayment was pulling back, letting water soak in from behind. It wasn’t long before the small fix led to a full tear-off. That’s why it’s always better to bring in a professional to check out the full picture. Surface fixes won’t stop future problems if the real problem is deeper.
Keeping Your Roof Healthy for Years to Come
Maintaining your asphalt shingle roof is about more than reacting when something goes wrong. It’s about staying ahead of issues before they turn serious. Proper installation, good ventilation, and regular inspections all play a big part in keeping your shingles in shape.
Even though bubbling, curling, and blistering might seem like small problems, they can become major ones if ignored for too long. By understanding how these issues start, spotting early signs, and putting some time into prevention, you’re making sure your roof lasts longer and protects your home better.
Your roof works hard every day. It stands up to heat, wind, rain, and snow without taking a break. Give it some attention now and then so it can keep doing its job. Pay attention to small changes, and don’t wait too long to act if something doesn’t look right. A little care can go a long way.
Make sure your roof stands strong season after season. Regular checks and quality materials are key to preventing issues like bubbling and curling. If you’re facing any of these problems or simply want to ensure your shingles are in great condition, learn more about asphalt shingle roofing options with Roofing For Troops. We’re committed to helping you maintain a secure and long-lasting roof that keeps your home protected year-round.