Whether you have a shingle or metal roofing system, your roof is there to protect your home from the elements. As such, regular maintenance must be conducted to keep it in good condition. However, there are some common maintenance mistakes people make that can actually cause more harm than good. Read on to learn more.
Bad Maintenance Routines Can Be Costly
Roofing systems have an expected lifespan that can potentially be extended with regular care and maintenance. It’s almost as easy as following routine checks to ensure your roof stays effective through the years. But even if you make sure that you’re not neglecting your roof, you still need to learn how you can avoid common mistakes that can occur during a typical maintenance check. After all, incorrect maintenance procedures can slowly compromise your roofing system’s performance over time and you’ll only end up with more costly repairs.
How to Avoid Common Roofing Mistakes
It takes more than just investing in routine maintenance to keep your roof in good condition. To prevent unnecessary costs for repairs or premature roof replacement, trusted shingle and metal roofing expert Done-Right Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd. shares a few common maintenance mistakes to avoid:
- Ignoring Roof Debris – Your roof will always accumulate debris especially if you have nearby trees with overhanging branches. It won’t necessarily be a lot, which might lead you to think it’s okay to ignore it. But if you have a shingle roof, the debris can scratch the surface and slowly cause damage. This will eventually lead to granule loss, which means you’ll have parts of your roof exposed to the weather.
Roof debris and asphalt granules can also end up in your gutters, which can accumulate over time until they clog the system. When this happens, water will start pooling in places where it shouldn’t and cause leaks that can lead to rust and corrosion. That’s why it’s so important to check your gutters and clear out any debris during your spring maintenance routine. This will prevent clogs from damaging your roof!
- Installing Excess Insulation – Most homes require insulation installed in the attic. This is to ensure steady indoor temperatures and keep the warm or cool air from escaping. As a residential and commercial flat roofing contractor, however, we fully understand that only a specific amount of insulation is needed to keep your home energy efficient.
If you have too much insulation installed or the layer is too thick, it can negatively affect your roof’s ventilation. When this happens, the air won’t properly dissipate from your attic and will stay trapped longer than it should. This will lead to mold and mildew growth, which can spread to the rest of your home if not addressed promptly. The moisture buildup can also cause rot on the wooden components of your roofing structure, which can lead to sagging and even collapse. Make sure to have your roof checked if you have just the right amount of insulation installed.
- Relying on Band-Aid Solutions – Having temporary fixes or “Band-Aid” solutions on your roof may sometimes be required when emergency repairs are needed. However, quick fixes won’t keep your roofing system intact for long and eventually you’ll have to deal with the problem with a more permanent solution. Permanent fixes done by a professional contractor will always have a higher upfront cost, but they’ll also last much longer than temporary solutions. Don’t rely on temporary fixes as they can take a toll on your roof’s effective lifespan and lead to more repair costs.
- Power Washing Your Roof – A power washer might be useful on metal roofs, but it can be too strong for asphalt roofing systems. This is because the force can slowly peel off the granules of your asphalt shingles, leaving some sections of your roof more susceptible to the weather elements, including UV rays. That’s why most roofers will agree that it’s safer to use a garden hose when removing moss, mold, mildew or other debris on your shingle roof.
- Not Properly Checking Your Insulation – Even if you’re sure you have enough insulation installed, that doesn’t mean you won’t need to have it checked during a spring maintenance inspection. Your insulation can still have leaks, rot, and other types of damage that can affect your home’s energy efficiency if not properly addressed. Be sure to have it professionally checked by a roof repair contractor to see if it’s still in good condition and address any issues they might find.
- DIY Repairs – Even the act of nailing loose shingles is not safe for you to do. Without the right training and equipment, you risk making the damage even worse. Instead, leave the job to trusted professionals because they know where to place the nails on the shingles to prevent corrosion and other damage. If you see loose shingles in several sections on your roof, extensive repairs might not be enough to keep your home protected. If this is the case with your current roof, consider getting a full roof replacement this spring.
- Reactive Maintenance – A roof that looks mostly intact may seem like it doesn’t have any problems, but you should still have it checked and maintained by a professional nonetheless. Some of the worst roofing problems aren’t always visible and they often evolve from seemingly minor damage that was overlooked. Underlying damage can be costly to repair, and by the time it becomes visible, the repair cost can be higher than expected. As soon as you see minor damage on your roof, don’t think twice and get it repaired as soon as possible. Taking a proactive approach will help you save a lot of time and money.
- Relying on Inexperienced Contractors – Another mistake that can shorten your roof’s lifespan is hiring inexperienced contractors for the job. If you hire a contractor because they offer cheap rates for their roofing services, don’t be surprised if your roof doesn’t last as long as its expected lifespan. If you want top-notch roof repair and replacement services, hire Done-Right Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd. instead!
Our team always gets the job done with speed and efficiency. You can count on our more than 30 years of experience in repairing roofs to keep your home or commercial property protected. We’re the pros to call whether you need emergency repairs or a spring roof installation! Call us today at (905) 875-2888 or fill out our contact form to request an estimate.