When Aviation Meets Your Rooftop: How Lockbourne’s Unique Airport Proximity Creates Special Roofing Challenges
In Lockbourne, Ohio, homeowners face a distinctive roofing challenge that sets them apart from most residential areas across the country. Rickenbacker International Airport (IATA: LCK, ICAO: KLCK, FAA LID: LCK) is a civil-military public airport 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Columbus, near Lockbourne in southern Franklin County, Ohio, United States. This proximity to one of the nation’s busiest cargo airports creates unique environmental stressors that can significantly impact residential roofing systems.
The Aviation Impact Factor: More Than Just Noise
While most homeowners near airports worry about noise pollution, the real concern for Lockbourne residents lies in the invisible effects of aviation emissions. Aviation activities emit ozone and ultrafine particles, both of which are health hazards. Proximity to fuel-burning aircraft creates an occupational and residential hazard for airport workers and nearby communities. Rickenbacker International is primarily a cargo airport for the city of Columbus, although since 2012 it has served an increasing number of passenger flights as well as charter carriers. In the year ending December 31, 2022 the airport had 24,168 aircraft operations, average 66 per day: 52% commercial, 35% general aviation, and 14% military.
The constant aircraft traffic means roofing materials in Lockbourne are exposed to a cocktail of airborne contaminants that accelerate deterioration. Airplanes emit gases (carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrogen oxides or carbon monoxide − bonding with oxygen to become CO2 upon release) and atmospheric particulates (incompletely burned hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides, black carbon), interacting among themselves and with the atmosphere. Aircraft ground and low altitude operations produce the same emissions described above, with an added impact on local air quality resulting from nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbon and soot particulates.
How Aviation Emissions Affect Your Roof
The unique chemical composition of aircraft emissions creates several specific challenges for residential roofing systems. The chemical composition of jet fuel, in particular the level of aromatics (molecules that form soot during combustion), has a significant effect on the level of contrail formation and therefore the level of non-CO2 climate effects from flying. These are long cloudy strips that form when moisture in ice-saturated air freezes around soot particles released by burning jet fuel.
These soot particles and other aviation-related pollutants don’t just stay in the upper atmosphere. Size distribution analyses have found that aviation tends to emit particles even smaller than nearby ground transportation, with high doses of ultrafine particles at sub-100-nanometer size. This makes aviation pollution especially dangerous for anyone breathing air nearby, because the smallest particles are understood to penetrate deep into the lungs and even cross into the blood stream. These same ultrafine particles settle on roof surfaces, creating a persistent film that can trap moisture and accelerate the breakdown of shingle materials.
The Science Behind Accelerated Roof Aging
Traditional roofing materials are designed to withstand normal environmental stressors like UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and precipitation. However, the constant exposure to aviation emissions introduces additional chemical stressors. Airports can generate water pollution due to their extensive handling of jet fuel and deicing chemicals if not contained, contaminating nearby water bodies. When these chemicals become airborne, they can settle on roof surfaces and interact with roofing materials in ways that weren’t anticipated during manufacturing.
The hydrocarbon particulates from jet fuel combustion can create a sticky residue that attracts dirt, debris, and biological growth like algae and moss. This creates a compound effect where the roof not only faces chemical degradation but also increased moisture retention and biological attack.
Specialized Solutions for Aviation-Adjacent Properties
Recognizing these unique challenges, specialized roofing services have emerged to address the specific needs of homeowners in aviation-impacted areas. Companies like Shingle Restoration Services understand that traditional maintenance approaches may not be sufficient for properties near major airports. Shingles Restoration Services offers roof rejuvenation in Lockbourne, a cost-effective solution to extend the life of your existing roof and save you money. We specialize in roof rejuvenation in Lockbourne, OH, offering a compelling alternative to full roof replacement.
The roof rejuvenation lockbourne service offered by these specialists involves a multi-step process designed to counteract the effects of aviation-related contamination. Treatment: We apply ReGen NXT to restore the flexibility and waterproofing properties of your existing shingles. Protection: We apply a sealant containing UV inhibitors to further protect your roof from the elements and extend its lifespan.
The Economic Advantage of Rejuvenation
For Lockbourne homeowners dealing with accelerated roof aging due to aviation proximity, roof rejuvenation offers significant economic benefits. The fact is, 90% of roofs do not need replacement. With a little TLC and our RoofRestor(TM) shingle rejuvenator, we can extend your roof for a minimum of 5 years and up to 15 years while saving an average of 80% over replacement.
This approach is particularly valuable in aviation-adjacent areas where roofs may show signs of premature aging but still have substantial structural integrity. In an independent accelerated 10-year ageing test, 14-year-old shingles were treated and tested against the same shingles untreated. The treated shingles performed 8 times better than untreated, RoofRestor(TM)shingle rejuvenation extends shingle life!
Proactive Maintenance Strategies
Living near Rickenbacker Airport doesn’t mean accepting premature roof failure. Serving Franklin County makes us proud, and we are sure that our roof rejuvenation service will both satisfy your needs and go above and beyond. Contact Shingles Restoration Services today for a free estimate and discover how we can help you save money and extend the life of your roof.
The key to managing aviation-related roofing challenges lies in understanding that these properties require more frequent inspection and specialized treatment. Regular cleaning to remove aviation-related particulates, combined with rejuvenation treatments that restore the chemical integrity of shingle materials, can effectively counteract the accelerated aging caused by airport proximity.
For Lockbourne residents, the proximity to Rickenbacker Airport presents unique challenges, but with the right knowledge and specialized services, these challenges can be effectively managed while preserving both the integrity and value of their homes.