How Arizona’s Extreme Weather Impacts Residential and Commercial Roofs

The Arizona desert is gorgeous and cruelly harsh on roofing systems. Since summers are long and intense, both residential and commercial roofing in Arizona present homeowners and property owners with special challenges not common in other areas. The idea behind this is to know the impact of extreme weather on roofing materials and buildings and prevent unnecessary maintenance expenses and premature replacement.

Arizona’s Climate: A Roof’s Stress Test

The state of Arizona is synonymous with blazing sun, intense heat, strong winds, and unexpected monsoon storms. These conditions not only test your patience, but they also mercilessly collapse roofing structures over time.

Blistering Summer of Arizona

The weather is often extremely hot, over 100°F in the state. During peak summer, roof surfaces, particularly those of dark hues, may surpass 150°F or higher. The effects of these temperatures directly affect roofing materials: shingles and underlayments dry out, warp, tear, or get brittle due to long-term exposure to UV rays. 

This deterioration compromises the roof’s protective coatings and predisposes it to water seepage when the rainy season comes. The UV radiation also decomposes chemical bonds of roofing materials, promotes the process of aging, and decreasing the total lifespan.

Thermal Expansion and Contraction

The temperature variations in Arizona during days and nights cause extra strain on roof. Roofing materials also swell in hot weather and then shrink in cooler weather. Daily processes of expansion and contraction cause fatigue of the material, resulting in the emergence of cracks and separations, which can result in future entry of water.

Monsoon Season: Water, Wind, and Debris

Arizona has an abrupt thunderstorm season, mostly between June and September and this is an extreme contrast to the heat of the summer.

Excessive Rain and Flash Flooding

Monsoons also bring intense rainstorms that roofing systems have to manage within a relatively short period. Even small weak spots in the roof can allow water in, causing it to leak, damage the interiors, and reduce the strength of insulation. Improper drainage of flat commercial roofs may lead to standing water (ponding), which causes faster breakdown of the membranes and the likelihood of leakages and structural damage.

High Winds and Uplift Forces

The monsoon winds may reach speeds of 60+ mph, placing uplift force on roofing materials, particularly on a large commercial roofing surface with low slopes. When the roofing materials, flashing, or seams are already weakened by the heat or old age, the wind lift may cause the tiles, shingles, or membrane edges to fall off, thus opening a way for water and pests.

Hail and Debris Impact

Hail and flying debris are common with storms. Small hailstones can break or damage tiles, dent metal roofs, or loosen granules on asphalt shingles. These effects loosen materials over time and may cause leakages and early failure.

Other Weather Conditions that Influence Roofs

Dust Storms (Haboobs)

Another neglected weather event that puts roofing under strain is the dust storms in Arizona. Fine dust penetrates roof drainage systems, plugs gutters, and scours roofing surfaces with time. Clogged drainage also causes water to accumulate and raise the chances of leakage or interior damage when heavy rain comes up.

Day-to-Day UV and Heat Stress

The ruthless sun scorches the roofing systems throughout the year, even when there are not extreme weather events. Roofing materials exposed to constant UV will wear out sooner than in milder climates. This is the reason why roofs in Arizona may require professional inspection and maintenance much more regularly than in less extreme areas.

How to Preserve Your Roof in the Arizona Climate

The Arizona weather demands regular roof inspection and timely repairs. Timely roof maintenance saves on roof integrity and the future cost of correcting small problems, as Great Way Roofing mentioned regarding the value of timely roof repair for home value.

Furthermore, when it comes to storm damage, responding swiftly, as highlighted by Advanced Roofing Systems, ensures your property will not be waterlogged and unsafe once the storms have ended.

Conclusion: Weather-Aware Roofing Solutions of Arizona

You may own a home or be running a business, but the extreme weather in Arizona needs roofing systems which are constructed to withstand the heat, UV exposure, wind, and monsoon rain. The best protection against the harsh effects of the climate is regular professional inspection, high-quality materials, and timely repairs. 

To obtain skilled advice and reliable roofing services across Arizona, ProWest provides reliable residential and commercial roofing solutions to meet this special climate. ProWest is sure that your roof keeps what is most important to you safe with free estimates or assistance with insurance and quality installations. Call ProWest today to protect your property and take on any storm with confidence.

Residential Roofing Arizona and Commercial Roofing Arizona begin with the experience you can trust.