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Thermal splitting of fiberglass-based asphalt roof shingles was particularly common for product manufactured in the early 1990's.Causes of Thermal Splitting or Cracking Asphalt Roof Shingles

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Asphalt shingle cracks due to thermal splitting & defective product: this document tells readers how to identify & explain asphalt shingle cracking or thermal splitting, what causes shingle cracks or splits, and how to distinguish this product failure (which may be entitled to a warranty or class action claim) from other roofing product failures or defects.

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Fiberglass Shingle Cracks: Thermal Splitting Asphalt Shingle Crack & Tear Failures Described & Explained

example of thermal splitting on fiberglass-based asphalt roof shingles DF

Fiberglass-based Asphalt Roof Shingle Cracking/Tearing/Splitting Failures

"Thermal splitting," or "cracking" which in fact is in most cases actually a tearing of the shingles is considered by experts to be the principal current problem with fiberglass-based shingles. We prefer the term tearing as a most accurate description of what's probably happening. Originally observed on the lightest-weight (15-year life) shingles this problem has now been found across all shingle styles, weights (life ratings), and we suspect, probably across most or all manufacturers of this type of product.

The thermal expansion of defective asphalt shingle product (common in the U.S. across many manufacturers in the early 1990's) followed by thermal contraction when cool weather approached, explained the tear shown in the shingle in our photograph just above.

See THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS for a table of the coefficient of expansion of common building materials. We have not found a source defining the coefficient of thermal expansion of asphalt roof shingles - Contact Us if you can provide that information.

Does Thermal Splitting or Shingle Cracking Tearing Occur only in 3-Tab Asphalt Shingle Roofs?

No. Thermal splitting or tears occur in both conventional 3-tab shingles (photo above) and also in laminated asphalt shingle roofs.

Our photo (below-left) of thermal split/tear damage to a laminated asphalt shingle roof was provided by ASHI Home inspector Steve Mauer.

This unfortunate roof, inspected by Mr. Mauer in 2009, also suffered from granule loss (below-right) that in our OPINION looked like a defective product.

Thermal cracking laminated asphalt shingle (C) D Friedman S Mauer Thermal cracking laminated asphalt shingle (C) D Friedman S Mauer

The same roof also included a damaged shingle that looked like a cracking and granule loss problem combined, but we think this was a shingle splice created at the factory during production - a bad individual shingle that is sometimes created when ends of shingle production substrate are spliced together.

See SPLICE DEFECTS on ASPHALT SHINGLES

What Does Shingle Cracking or Shingle Splitting Look like?

Watch out: : as we warn at ASPHALT SHINGLE FAILURE TYPES if conditions prevented the home inspector from direct access onto the roof or at least a look from a ladder set against the roof edge, shingle damage, cracks, and splits such as that shown in own photo (at left) could have been difficult or even impossible to spot. Inspecting the roof from the ground, even with good binoculars, can't show all roof damage types and conditions.

Hard to see thermal  splitting (C) Daniel Friedman

We have observed a variety of torn or split asphalt roof shingles, illustrated by our photographs below. (Click to enlarge any image.)

Horizontal Cracks & Splits in Asphalt Shingles

Both thermal splitting and other shingle cracks and splits can also occur in a horizontal pattern as we illustrate in our photographs below.

Horizontal crack split asphalt shingles (C) Daniel Friedman Horizontal crack split asphalt shingles (C) Daniel Friedman

The horizontal cracking occurring in these fiberglass-based asphalt shingles resulted in complete loss of some of the shingles from the roof surface. The silicone caulk was placed by the owner during an attempt to "re-glue" the lost shingle tabs. But using our pen we pointed out additional horizontal cracks and tears developing in the next course of shingles just below. From a the ground the lost shingles looked like an isolated problem. An on-roof inspection told a different story.

Horizontal and vertical shingle splits (C) Daniel Friedman Both horizontal and diagonal or vertical tearing may occur in the same roof as we illustrate in our photo at left (Click to enlarge).

What is the Cause of Thermal Splitting Cracks in Fiberglass-based Asphalt Roof Shingles?

Classic thermal splitting asphalt shingles following a stair step pattern (C) Daniel Friedman

Our photos above demonstrate two classic thermal split patterns in fiberglass based asphalt shingles: vertical splits running straight up the roof (above left) and diagnoal splits following butt joints (below).

Classic thermal splitting asphalt shingles following a stair step pattern (C) Daniel Friedman

Splits or Cracking in Organic Asphalt Shingles

Normal but worn out roof (C) Daniel Friedman

Organic mat asphalt shingles also may show cracking and accompanying granule loss. Defective asphalt shingle products of either organic or fiberglass based shingles may experience several failures including cracking, tearing, granule loss, blistering, etc. So, splits or cracks can occur in both organic-mat based and fiberglass-mat based asphalt roof shingles.

See ORGANIC FELT SHINGLE NORMAL WEAR for details about normal wear splits or cracks and granule loss in organic roof shingles.

Also see ORGANIC FELT SHINGLE DEFECTS for other wear signs on organic mat asphalt shingles.

But thermal splitting is particularly a problem with fiberglass mat based asphalt roof shingles. The catastrophic early shingle splitting failures like the ones illustrated earlier in this article were principally a problem of lightweight, fiberglass-mat based asphalt roof shingles made during the period discussed above. Roughly, from 1992 - 1997.

Nevertheless, fine cracks through roof shingles, regardless of cause, mean accelerating wear rate and on a roof like the one shown at left, the roof needs replacement.

Cracking due to cold weather installation & bending ridge or hip cap shingles:

see RIDGE & HIP CAP SHINGLES for additional discussion of distinguishing cracking wear failures from other types of shingle failures.

Also see ASPHALT SHINGLE PROPERTIES and

see

Readers are also invited contribute roof failure information to the web author for research purposes. web author for research purposes.

 




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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2020-11-20 - by (mod) -

That sounds like a product failure, perhaps not covered by your homeowners policy

On 2020-11-20 by Kathy Limanen

Just sent a ton of pictures of my roof to insurance company. Shingles are cracked all over the place. Insurance company won’t cover saying it’s from heat and cold. Roof is only 6 years old. Like everyone else, why would you put shingles on a house that can’t withstand the weather. Minnesota

On 2018-08-25 by Ken Martin

Wow, want a great article. I live in Idaho and have a 10 year roof that is suppose to be a 50year roof according to the manufacture. We had a hail storm and I had a roofer inspect it for damage. I had no hail damage but I have cracks all over. Some are 6 feet going up the roof at a 45 degree angle and others much shorter. My builder looked at it and was floored. Now I need to convince the mfg and distributed that this was defective material. This article really helps.

Wow, want a great article. I live in Idaho and have a 10 year roof that is suppose to be a 50year roof according to the manufacture. We had a hail storm and I had a roofer inspect it for damage. I had no hail damage but I have cracks all over. Some are 6 feet going up the roof at a 45 degree angle and others much shorter. My builder looked at it and was floored. Now I need to convince the mfg and distributed that this was defective material. This article really helps. Sound I hirer a building inspector?

On 2018-08-25 by Ken Martin

Wow, want a great article. I live in Idaho and have a 10 year roof that is suppose to be a 50year roof according to the manufacture. We had a hail storm and I had a roofer inspect it for damage. I had no hail damage but I have cracks all over. Some are 6 feet going up the roof at a 45 degree angle and others much shorter. My builder looked at it and was floored. Now I need to convince the mfg and distributed that this was defective material. This article really helps. Sound I hirer a building inspector?

On 2016-12-19 by Del Gonzales

This problem started on my good about 20 years ago and is probably past the warranty period. I filed a insurance claim when it first occurred. I was told it wasn't covered. Is there any recourse?

On 2016-07-25 - by (mod) -

I'm surprised to hear about thermal splitting on a 2009 roof, but I guess it's possible. Use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to send me some sharp photos of the damage and we can comment further.

On 2016-07-25 by Derek Hoyle

Looks just like the problem I am having with my 7-year old roof built using 35 yr. asphalt/fiberglass shingles.

Now how to get the shingle manufacturer to admit they have a shingle quality problem .
If their shingles can not stand Alberta's climate , why are they selling them here.

I was in business for 35 years and if I sold defective product I was on the hook for old product removal , new product
and new product instalation so why not them ?


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