7 Common Roof Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid for Homeowners
A home’s roof is out of sight and out of mind for many homeowners, but this avoidant strategy can cause major problems in the future. A roof is your home’s first line of defense, so ignoring regular maintenance is detrimental.
Staying up to date with regular maintenance is vital for a roof to do its job correctly. So, how can you keep your roof in tip-top shape? Avoid these seven common roof maintenance mistakes.
1. Not Having Moisture Protection
When you have a new roof or new shingles installed, you want to opt for moisture protection. It may seem like a money-saving idea to skip moisture protection underneath your roofing materials, but it can cost you in the future.
The moisture barrier protects the decking, preventing moisture from collecting and causing damage to the structure of your home. Excess moisture can cause decay in a home’s wood frame.
You definitely want to invest in good moisture protection if you live in an area that experiences a lot of rain or snow. In this case—and many others—the shingles alone will not be enough to protect your roof from moisture.
2. Pressure Washing Your Roof
You may notice that your roof is looking a little dingy, or maybe you have moss or other debris stuck to your roof. After a quick search, you may conclude that your roof needs a good pressure washing.
A pressure washing can do well at removing moss and other debris, which can prevent mold and mildew growth. But even that is not a great reason to rent a machine and start blasting your roof.
For the average roof, a pressure washer may be too much to handle. Pressure washing roofs—especially without professional experience—can lead to damaged shingles that could create a larger issue in the future.
3. Not Keeping an Eye on Nature
Tall stunning trees add beauty to the exterior of your home. But the leaves can pose an issue to your roof’s integrity. So, not keeping a close eye on fallen leaves and branches and even animal debris can be a detriment.
Branches, leaves, and animal debris can clog your gutters, blocking water from flowing away from your home, which can lead to water damage. Fallen branches and twigs can get between shingles, loosening them from their place.
Moss may even start growing on your roof, which is not only unsightly but also poses an issue with moisture retention. Even though nature is beautiful, you should do your best to keep it away from your roof.
4. Ignoring Any Leaks
If you notice a leak in your home, that’s a clue that you need to have a roof issue addressed immediately. While it’s better to have addressed any problems before they lead to leaks, if you do notice a leak, you shouldn’t ignore it.
That’s because leaks typically mean another issue has gone unnoticed for too long. Even a small leak can lead to larger issues like mold, water damage, and even potentially flooding your home.
Once you notice a leak in your roof or ceiling, you should hire a roof maintenance service to take care of the roof. But the best way to address leaks in a roof is to not allow for leaks to happen in the first place.
5. Not Having a Regular Inspection
Your roof should be built to withstand inclement weather, temperature fluctuations, can the outside elements. But your roof’s durability doesn’t mean that it doesn’t need to be checked on.
Regular roof maintenance and inspection can help catch any minor problems before they become major issues. Have a professional assess the condition of the roof, looking for missing tiles, cracks, buildup or clogs, and mold.
Aim to have your roof professionally inspected at least once a year to check for these issues. You may also want to check for damages after large storms or periods of heavy rain. Catching a roof issue early can prevent future damage.
6. Having Poor Ventilation
Proper ventilation is key to a well-maintained roof. Ventilation allows excess moisture to escape rather than buildup in spaces like under your roofing shingles.
Improper ventilation is often caused by having too much insulation below the roof. It’s best to have about one square foot of ventilation per every 300 square feet of attic or ceiling space.
The proper ratio allows for ventilation that will prevent your roof from sustaining moisture damage.
You can also run the risk of heat damage from having too much insulation below your roof. Shingles can crack, blister, and warp if your roof maintains too much heat.
Having the proper ventilation to allow excess heat to escape will maintain your roof’s integrity.
7. Holding Off on Repairs
You have a lot on your plate; from life to family to work, there are many obligations that need your attention. It makes sense that you have to prioritize and that sometimes means allowing home repairs to go unfixed.
While a few days may not always make a difference, you don’t want to allow roof maintenance to go unaddressed for long periods. Even minor issues should be handled as soon as possible.
Allowing a problem to go unfixed can create a major issue not only with your roof but in other areas of your home. Repairing roof damage as soon as you notice it can prevent mold, mildew, and water damage in your home.
Roof Maintenance Mistakes All Homeowners Should Know and Avoid
No matter what material your roof is made from, it will require occasional maintenance to keep it in its best shape. Unfortunately, many homeowners neglect their roofs, often because they aren’t what maintenance is required.
But knowing these seven common roof maintenance mistakes can help homeowners keep their roof functioning properly and prevent larger issues from happening in the future.
Ready to transform your home with a roof replacement or repair? Fortress Roofing is dedicated to superior service and a superior product. Contact our experts to request an estimate for your home’s roofing project today!