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Roofing Maintenance and Repair – Ignore These Falsehoods!

There are many myths out there about roofing maintenance and taking care of one’s roofing installation.

Unfortunately, some of them could create a need for roof repair instead of being the critical maintenance that protects a roof.

Avoid these common falsehoods about roofing repair or maintenance and when in doubt, contact a professional contractor for help!

1. “Lifetime” Roofs Last Forever

Although some long-lasting roofs are sometimes called lifetime roofs, they don’t actually last a lifetime, especially without proper maintenance.

Lifetime roofs are typically those that last 40 to 50 years in terms of premium shingles or longer for other materials.

They all still require roofing maintenance to keep them in good condition to prevent premature aging and failure.

2. Small Leaks Can Be Fixed With A Few Shingles

There is more to doing roof repair to correct a leak or even a broken shingle than simply nailing on a few new shingles.

In fact, nailing over the top of the area where a leak is suspected to originate from only causes more damage.

Shingles must be laid in a specific order and layer for them to be watertight and adding more nail holes through the top only increases the chance of more leaks.

Correct roofing repair to fix leaks or damaged shingles requires loosening and removing those shingles, then carefully installing new ones in their place, complete with adhesive and properly-positioned nails.

3. No Roofing Maintenance Required If Everything Looks Good

Just because the external roofing materials seem to be in good shape does not ever guarantee there are no other problems happening below the surface.

A critical part of good roofing maintenance is a thorough inspection by a professional roofer, during which signs of leaks and other problems that may not be visible from the outside are sought out.

4. Pressure Washers Are Safe For Roof Cleaning

In most cases, this is false as many well-meaning homeowners cause damage that needs roof repair every year to their roofs using them.

Pressure washers can damage shingles and force water beneath them, wetting the underlayment and decking as well as destroying the water resistance of the roof.

When cleaning is necessary, roofing should be washed with a mild detergent, a scrub brush, and a hose.

5. Manufacturer Warranties Cover All Roofing Problems

Manufacturer warranties cover defective roofing materials and nothing more.

What many do not realize is that 95% of all damage that requires roofing repair is caused by poor installation techniques and workmanship, lack of maintenance, and similar problems.

Only a small percentage of roofing problems are actually due to defective materials.

As such, it is essential to hire a skilled, experienced contractor trained in the correct ways of installing the types of materials they sell.

Contact A Roof Repair Contractor for Maintenance Help

Based on these roof repair falsehoods, it should be easy for any homeowner to see the importance of finding a qualified roofing contractor and working with them to maintain their roof.

Roof maintenance, provided in the right ways and at the right times, can protect any roof and prolong its life.

Homeowners can reduce or eliminate their need for costly roofing repair by partnering with a reliable contractor who will help them protect their investment!