The Truth Behind These 3 Roofing Myths

Roofing myths are common in the contracting business. If you own a home, you have likely heard at least one of these popular misconceptions. The problem is that most people believe these myths without questioning if they are true. So, to combat some of the confusion surrounding roofing issues and to clarify some urban legends and misunderstandings, we’re dispelling three widespread falsehoods about roofs:

Myth 1: It Is Okay to Put a New Roof on Top of an Old One

This myth probably started because shingles are made from asphalt. In reality, if you put a new layer of shingles on top of an old one, it won’t matter that the shingles are made from a material that will not deteriorate. The problem with this myth is that you can make matters worse. When you add new shingles to your roof, they will be considerably different in size and weight than those that were there previously. These differences in weight and sizing can cause leaks and other issues when the wind blows across your roof because it puts extra pressure on the coverings that were not there before.

This myth also tends to be associated with people who do not particularly want to finish fixing their roof but want to throw money at it instead. Indeed, new shingles will not cause leaks, but there are other ways of doing it. The first and most crucial step should be to fix your roof. If you have not gotten around to doing this, you need to get a contractor in your area that can install metal roofing over your old shingles before you put on new ones. This metal is usually more flexible and less durable in some cases than asphalt shingles, so it will last longer with less maintenance.

Myth 2: No Leaks, No Problem

The truth is that if your roof has no leaks, there could still be water damage inside your walls and ceilings from leakage during storms or other weather conditions to contend with. You can even have a problem without noticing the roof leaks by restoring moisture problems in your attic or basement.

A small crack in your roofing shingles can become much worse quickly if allowed to become bigger. These cracks can cause water and debris to get into the attic, leading to further damage and complicated for anyone’s home insurance company to cover. For instance, specialists from the Technonicol recommends that, if you find any shingles missing for some time, get them fixed immediately, especially if you notice them missing on a particular side of the roof. Shingles can get loose and up under the roof’s edges, which can cause leaks in your home.

The last problem is a rotting deck. If your roofing shingles has been around for twenty or thirty years, the chances are that it’s seen better days, and a new roof is in need. Old fiberglass roofs were known to outlast their warranties, but now they aren’t as reliable as they used to be. Some of the problems associated with old fiberglass roofs are raveling, bubbling, and peeling roofing materials which are noticeable from within the interior of the building where you can’t do anything about them.

Read Also:Types of roofings to consider for your home

Myth 3: New Roofs Do Not Need Regular Maintenance

The myth of a new roof not needing maintenance may have a few reasons behind it. For example, some individuals may believe that if they install a new roof, there will be no leaks because it is waterproof. This is untrue and can lead to poor insulation levels inside the home when moisture enters through the walls due to the proper upkeep of the exterior durability system.

 There are several reasons why a new roof does need regular maintenance. For example, the nails or screws that are used to put up the shingles or tiles can start to rust after five or six years of being installed, and this can end up ruining the entire roof.

 Also, if proper upkeep is not done regularly, there can be leaks in the future as well. Many individuals tend to ignore their roofs until they notice a leak beginning or when some other problem arises. The fact is that most problems with roofs are preventable if proper maintenance is done in the first place.

How to Maintain a Roof?

To help maintain a roof, there are several things that homeowners can do regularly. For example, they can clean out their home’s gutters every year. If they see too much debris in the gutters, they can move it out of there. Water that gets stuck in the gutters can eventually make its way down to the roof’s edge and cause some damage as well. A homeowner can also clean out the roof vents because leaves or some other debris will get stuck inside them.

In addition, homeowners can clean off the roof every so often and ensure no moss is growing on it. Also, they should look for any cracks in the shingles or tiles. If they see them, they should repair them immediately to prevent water from coming in. If a crack is not repaired, it can eventually lead to a leak that could cost a lot of money to fix. It is also essential to be sure that all nails and screws are still intact because these hold the roof together, and if one were to come loose, it could cause a leak as well.

It is a good idea to clean the chimney regularly, whether made of brick or metal. It is also a good idea for homeowners to check out the chimney to ensure it is secure and in good condition. If there are cracks in the mortar, it may be time to put on a new one. Also, if there is any vegetation growing inside of the chimney, then this can also lead to problems like a fire.

While replacing a roof can be expensive and anxiety-inducing, some myths persist about what it takes to get your new roof up. Often, homeowners will choose not to replace their old roofs because of these myths.