Home › Learn From The Pros › Everything You Need to Know About Asphalt Shingle Blisters Everything You Need to Know About Asphalt Shingle Blisters August 30, 2022 Asphalt roofing is one of the most reliable types of roof that you can find. That’s why it remains a popular choice, especially for homes. However, much like other roofing materials, asphalt shingles are also prone to certain kinds of issues — one of which is blistering. Shingle blisters occur for various reasons, but they’re often harmless and merely a cosmetic issue. That’s why roofing contractors aren’t usually bothered by them. Nevertheless, you can expect your roofer to monitor these blisters every time they inspect your roof. When these blisters pop, they can cause serious roof damage. Continue reading to learn more about asphalt shingle blisters and how you can prevent them from damaging your roof. Causes of Asphalt Shingle Blisters Blistering often occurs because of these factors: Moisture Inside the Asphalt Shingle Layers Moisture can get trapped inside the shingle layers during manufacturing. Once the shingles are installed and exposed to the sun’s heat, this causes the trapped moisture to rise – which turns into the blisters you see on the surface. Poor Attic Ventilation If your attic is not properly ventilated, warm air will remain and build up in the space. This can cause the shingles above your attic to heat up. When the trapped moisture in your shingles is exposed to this heat, blisters form on the surface of your roof. Poor Workmanship In some cases, blisters occur because of poor installation. For example, if the shingles were not installed at the proper temperature, wrinkles and leaks could develop on the roof. This can later lead to the formation of blisters. Should I Worry About Asphalt Shingle Blisters? Asphalt shingles have excellent resistance against the elements. It can avoid severe damage from weather events, such as heavy rain and hailstorms, as long as they are installed properly and maintained regularly. According to roof repair experts, there’s nothing to worry about if you notice blisters on your shingles. As long as the shingle granules are intact, your roof will be fine. Typically, blistering doesn’t have an impact on the performance or longevity of your roof. However, they can certainly affect the appearance of the shingles. If your roofers spots these blister on your roof during an inspection, they will let you know about the issue, but will likely not recommend any fix. If there are no other issues with your roof and there is no significant loss of shingle granules, the best thing to do is to stick with your roof inspection and maintenance schedule. This way, your roofer can monitor the blisters and take action when the issue has worsened. Shingle blisters can pop – usually due to long-term exposure to extreme heat. When this happens, it’s possible for your roof to be compromised. Popped blisters can cause granules to shed prematurely, leaving your shingles exposed to the sun’s heat and ultraviolet (UV) rays. In other cases, blisters pop because they were stepped on during roof work or hit by debris during a storm. The impact of strong winds and hailstones can also cause the blisters to pop. If a storm recently hit your area, it’s best to call a roofing company and have them check the condition of your shingles. Blistering vs. Hail Damage: How to Tell Them Apart Sometimes, you might mistake roof blisters for hail damage or vice versa. This is a common error among people since the two types of damage look similar. To determine whether the issue is blistering or hail damage, roofers typically check for the following: Pattern – If some blisters on your roof look popped and others remain unpopped, the problem is blistering. If all the blisters look popped and none are unpopped, it means you’re dealing with hail damage. Location – If the blisters can only be found on one section of the roof, this is due to hail damage. Blistered shingles typically don’t have a distinct pattern; they can be found on random areas of the roof. Hail damage, on the other hand, appears more uniform and tends to develop on one particular area of the roof. Dents – If certain sections of your roof appear to have suffered from a strong impact, then it’s likely due to hail damage. Hailstones are sometimes big and strong enough to create dents on small sections of the roof. Blistering, on the other hand, does not cause this type of damage. Tips on Preventing Shingle Blisters With the help of roof replacement and repair experts, it’s easy to prevent asphalt shingle blisters from occurring or popping. Here are some tips to help you prolong the life of your roof: Ensure Proper Installation Hiring a reliable and qualified roofing contractor can save you from the hassle and expenses of dealing with poorly installed shingles. Specifically look for certified roofers since they received training from the manufacturers. They also offer better warranties than non-certified roofers. With their expertise and industry-leading warranties, you can have peace of mind that whatever issue arises due to workmanship error or product defect, your contractor will be able to help you. Trim Nearby Trees Trees provide shade, which can help keep your home cool during the summer. But when you neglect them and allow their leaves and branches to come too close to your roof, they can cause several problems. If the trees drop limbs, pine cones, acorns or other types of debris onto your roof, these things can cause the blisters to pop. It’s best to remove these trees so that you can prevent debris from damaging your roof. Check Your Gutters Regularly Clean your gutter system on a regular basis to prevent clogging. You should also check if shingle granules are accumulating inside the gutters. Granule loss could be a sign that the blisters have popped, and you need to replace your roof. Inspect and Maintain Your Roof Regularly Regular roof inspections and maintenance are key to a longer roof lifespan. Through routine inspections and maintenance, you can spot issues and fix them while they’re still not a full-blown problem. During roof inspection and maintenance, you can remind your roofers that your shingles are blistered so that they’ll be extra careful when walking on your roof. Stepping on the shingle blisters will cause them to pop, and you want to avoid that as much as possible. Are you still looking for an experienced, reliable and knowledgeable roofer? Neumann Construction has a team of professionals ready to help with various roofing projects. Whether it’s roof replacement or repair, you can count on us to meet all your needs and deliver top-notch workmanship. Call us at (218) 270-0009, or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We offer our services to clients in Brainerd, MN, and nearby areas.