Atlas Chalet’s and other additive-granule shingles have a number of known deficiencies that can cause leaks in your roof. Every single one of these shingles is considered defective and has been discontinued by the manufacturers. Class action lawsuits have been filed against these manufacturers in relation to the issues present with this type of shingle.
The single attribute that differentiates this shingle from normal 3 Tab shingles and laminate Architectural shingles plays a principal role in the issues these shingles develop. The additive granule layer on these shingles develop blistering. This blistering leads to a number of issues.
One of these is premature granule loss. The amount of granules on the roof is directly proportional to the life expectancy of the roof. The more granules, the longer your roof will last. As these granules fall off your shingles. they usually pile up in your gutters. This can require frequent gutter cleanings and even damage the gutters by pulling them off their mounts.
The next issue this blistering causes is that when the blister burst, pinhole leaks can develop through your shingles into your house. On top of this, these blisters allow water to be absorbed by the fiberglass core of the shingles and cause them to curl at the edges.
This curling can cause exacerbate another issue that these shingles face: tar strips that fail prematurely. Both of these issues lead to shingles that are more prone to wind damage. Wind gets underneath the shingles when the tar strips fail or have less surface area gripping the roof because of the curling. This wind lifts the shingles up and causes wind creases. These wind creases are precursors to the shingles being blown off of the roof. It is similar to thin metal being bended in the same place over and over again. Eventually the metal, and the shingles, break off.
These wind creases can be difficult to spot from the ground, especially on this type of shingle with its shadow lines. In order to spot this type of storm damage, it is best to get a trained professional to inspect your roof. At Blackstone Roofing, we offer free inspections for defective shingles. We would be obliged to determine if your defective shingles need to be replaced and if your homeowner’s insurance company would pay for the replacement. More on that can be found on the “How Insurance Handles Defective Shingles” page.