Research shows that the roofing industry grew 2.7% on average every year between 2015 and 2020. Roof replacements are also the largest portion of roof work needed.
Residential roof maintenance mistakes can be a huge issue. Homeowners may find that their roof needs extensive repairs from these mistakes.
That is why it is so important to understand what kind of mistakes you should avoid. Part of this is choosing a roofing contractor that you trust to do a good job.
Keep reading to find out more about common residential roof maintenance mistakes.
1. Not Addressing Leaks
One of the most common mistakes people make is not addressing leaks. Leaks in a roof are considered to be an emergency, even if it is a small leak.
Leaks create a world of damage to the overall structure of your roof. They can also cause damage to the rest of your home by letting in debris and water.
You may not notice a leak right away, but when you do, you need to address it. Some signs of a roof leak are standing water and discoloration on walls.
Homeowners will need to hire a contractor for repairing roof damage. Homeowners should not try to repair leaks on their own since they don’t have the experience required.
You may also create a different kind of issue if you fix this problem incorrectly.
2. Leaving the Gutters
Homeowners may feel tempted to ignore their gutters since it is an inconvenience. After all, nobody wants to have to clean their gutters several times a year.
In reality, cleaning gutters is an important part of your roof maintenance routine. This is absolutely necessary if you want to keep your roof in good condition.
Gutters that go on cleaned can result in roof damage like leaks and cracks. The gutters themselves can also become damaged, resulting in a costly repair.
If you do not want to do this yourself, you could always hire someone else. This is ideal since you do not have to keep track of cleaning the gutters on your own.
3. Relying on Temporary Measures
One of these common residential roof maintenance mistakes is temporary repairs. Most homeowners are guilty of this if they are trying to save money.
For instance, if you notice a leak, you may nail a plywood board over the area. This will do the job at first but it is not a temporary fix.
Over time the roof can start to become damaged, and the leak becomes worse. Temporary measures should only be used if you need an option before you get a contractor.
You also don’t want to forget about these temporary measures you have in place. It is easy to temporarily fix something, solving the problem and resulting in you forgetting about it.
You also need to be very careful about the temporary measures you take. You may cause more damage than good if you damage the structural integrity of your roof.
For instance, you may nail into your roof to cover a hole or a crack. If you nail through shingles, you could be leaving them exposed to the elements and moisture.
4. Not Having Roof Inspections
Possibly the biggest mistake that homeowners make is not having regular roof inspections. These are very important as they help you to know the condition of your roof.
This is when a contractor will come out and closely inspect your roof. They should be done twice a year during spring and fall to check for damage.
This allows you to catch roof damage before it progresses to something worse. They will typically inspect your gutters, shingles, and flashing.
Inspections may seem like an unnecessary expense but they can save you a lot of money. Your roof maintenance budget can handle inspections but not a lot of repairs.
Roof damage that goes unnoticed can result in thousands of dollars worth of damage. That is often the best-case scenario since the entire roof could need to be replaced.
5. Not Reducing Moisture
Roofs are exposed to a great deal of moisture from the elements. But you may not realize that moisture from inside the home can also damage your roof.
Moisture is constantly going up to the attic of your home from showers and cooking. If it is cold outside and warm inside, this also creates a moistness in this area.
This builds up moisture underneath your roof and can gradually cause damage. You can try to counteract this with dehumidifiers and vents in your attic.
Roof inspections will also guarantee that there is no standing water on your roof. A roof may not be designed in a way that allows water to run off the way it should.
You also need to watch out for tree branches that may hang over your roof. These collect water and will disperse it over the roof, which could result in standing water.
6. Maintaining It Yourself
It is very tempting to want to maintain your roof on your own. You may be a DIY enthusiast, or you are trying to save some money.
The reality is that you don’t have the experience or the resources to do this correctly. Choosing a roofing contractor guarantees that you will get a much better job if repairs are necessary.
Residential Roof Maintenance Mistakes
There are several residential roof maintenance mistakes you should be aware of. These are things that could result in significant damage to your roof that can be very expensive.
Do you want to hire a roofing expert? Contact us today at DeG Contracting LLC to get a free estimate for your roof.
