Roof damage is often brought on by severe weather or other natural causes. But, sometimes it can be human error or a temporary lapse in judgment that will have you looking for professional roofing assistance.
These avoidable mistakes often create larger problems and unforeseen, additional costs for homeowners. To ensure you don’t fall into this expensive trap, here are four roof-related activities you should avoid.
Walking on your roof (unless absolutely necessary)
You should always think twice before propping up your ladder and climbing onto your roof. Beyond the potential of falling off, there is the actual damage to the roof that may occur as a result of your walking on it. Walking on your asphalt shingles can leave the shingles bare, dislodge them or create gaps that can increase the potential for leaks. While it’s recommended that you stay off of your roof as much as possible, unavoidable incidents may make that difficult. If you are forced to climb on your roof to remove debris after a storm or to blow of piling leaves, remember to wear shoes that provide traction and sweep of the leaves or debris as you walk to reveal any trapped moisture that may cause you to slip.
Patching a leak
There are few reasons your roof could be leaking, but one common cause in Florida is damage due to inclement weather. Because leaks only get worse over time, sometimes it can be tempting for homeowners to try to patch it themselves in an effort to expedite the process, but that’s usually not a smart move. When an inexperienced person climbs up to fix a roof, especially one that may be weather damaged, they are only heightening the chance of an accident occurring. Additionally, they may not be getting to the real root of the problem, and could make it worse. A leaking roof can be the result of a number of issues, including cracked flashing, broken shingles, valleys that are not properly sealed, rusted nails and clogged gutters. However, by taking a few easy steps, you can prevent future roof leaks.
Letting mold and mildew build up
Sometimes it’s not about what you do to your roof, but what you don’t do. The rain, wind and humidity that Florida regularly experiences can lead to mold and mildew as well as black algae growing on your roof. In addition to being aesthetically displeasing, the mold, mildew and stubborn algae can also weaken the integrity of your roof. To protect your shingles and help prevent future growth, you should hire a professional roofing contractor that offers roof washing services to do the job for you. When you leave it to the professionals, a much gentler, lasting approach is taken—ours being the use of Roof-A-Cide roof cleaner. Using the EPA certified algaecide and fungicide prevents roof discoloration and the perpetual washing cycle and significant roof damage that can occur when cleaning with chlorine bleach solutions. Plus, when a professional roofer does the job, they will be able to detect any other issues while they’re on your roof.
Pressure washing your roof
As previously mentioned, you will need to keep your roof clean, but if you do decide to do it yourself, pressure washing is definitely not a good alternative. Ironically, one of the most common causes of roof damage and premature aging is improper washing—due mainly to the repeated application of harsh chemicals with high pressure. It’s simple science, really. Water erodes rock over time, and the same can happen with the asphalt on your shingles. Now, imagine what highly pressurized water can do. The erosion greatly reduces the lifespan of your roof and leads to roof leaks.
Before you make a mistake that can land you on a list like this one, call Tadlock Roofing today at 855-964-7663 to consult a professional about all of your roofing questions.
