Because they’re human, homeowners are prone to making mistakes with their homes. This is true whether we’re speaking of siding, flooring, or otherwise. However, the part of the home that homeowners seem to make the most mistakes with is the roof.
Curious as to whether you’re making any roofing mistakes? Here are some of the most common mistakes Milwaukee homeowners make with their roofs.
Cleaning Them with Pressure Washers
While it is wise to wash your roof on a regular basis, that doesn’t mean you should take extreme measure to wash it. What’s important is that you wash it the right way.
Many homeowners will try to wash their roofs with pressure washers. Unfortunately, unless your roof is metal, this is never a good idea. Pressure washers cause surface level damage to shingles, wearing away their granules, and sometimes even tearing them off entirely.
Instead, when washing your roof, we recommend using a sprayer to cover the surface in bleach and roof cleaning solution. After you’ve let these two substances sit for around 30 minutes, you can simply rinse them off with water.
Over-insulating Them
Your roof is supposed to provide a certain level of insulation, which is important for keeping out heat and cold. However, there is such a thing as over-insulating your roof.
Unfortunately, when a roof is over-insulated, the area directly below it is negatively impacted. In most cases, over-insulation will prevent interior moisture from properly ventilating. This often results in musty smells and mold buildup.
Installing New Shingles Over Old Shingles
While it’s certainly cheaper to just install your new shingles on top of your old ones, it’s never a good idea. Though several layers of protection might seem beneficial, the truth of the matter is that they’re actually a hinderance.
Not only does stacking shingles result in poor protection from the elements, but it also puts an undue strain on the structure of your roof. In other words, roofs are not meant to hold up the weight of two layers of shingles.
Yes, tearing off your shingles before installing new ones is going to cost you a little more money initially. However, in the long run, it will probably end up being the more cost-effective option.
Neglecting to Check Their Attics
If you’re like most homeowners, you rarely go up into your attic. Unfortunately, by foregoing regular trips to your attic, you could be missing out on problems that may exist with your roof.
Your attic can alert you to specific roofing problems in a number of ways. If you can see rays of sunlight shining through, there are issues with bare spots in your shingles; or, if you notice mold and mildew, there are ventilation problems with your roof.
Ideally, you will check your attic every 6 months or so. This will allow you to identify small problems before they become much large problems.
Failing to Have Them Professionally Inspected
Roofing problems are not always obvious. Often times, they present themselves in small, indiscreet ways. Unfortunately, if you’re not a trained roofing specialist, you’re probably going to have trouble spotting them.
This is why it’s important to have your roof inspected by a professional every year or so. A pro roofing specialist will know what to look for in your roof and will be able identify certain problem areas. In doing so, he or she will be able to determine whether or not repairs or replacements are necessary.
In Need of Roofing Company in Fox Point, Wisconsin?
Looking to have your roof inspected or repaired? Do you believe it is time for a new roof? Fox Point area businesses and homeowners turn to us for their roofing contractor needs. We are the premier roofing company serving the Fox Point area.
Our team of skilled and experienced roofing specialists know everything there is to know about roofing maintenance. We will do everything in our power to ensure the functionality and efficiency of your roof.
Schedule an appointment by contacting us today!