When it comes to residential roofing, most homeowners do not know much about the roof that sits on top of their home. This can cause some misconceptions about roofs that you need to know the truth about. This will help to avoid misinformation about this important part of your home.
Misconception 1: Roof Leaks Are Contained To A Single Spot
Many homeowners make the mistake of diagnosing their own roof leaks incorrectly. They assume that the cause of a leak is directly above where the water is coming in. This is not always true since there are a variety of factors that can cause a roof to leak.
While the water may be coming into your attic through one spot, that is simply the place where the water got past the roof deck. It's possible that the leak is actually much higher up on the roof and traveling beneath the shingles. For example, you may have damaged flashing where water is leaking behind it, or a cracked shingle where the water is getting in. In addition to repairing the source of the leak on your roof's exterior, you'll need to repair the roof deck, as well, to ensure that the roof does not rot from water damage in that area.
Misconception 2: Roofs Are Their Own Entity
Don't assume that the roof is its own independent entity that has no relation to other areas of the home. There are plenty of things that can impact your roof that you may not be aware of. For example, attic insulation and ventilation will play a huge role in the overall condition of your roof. Having poor ventilation and hot spot can cause snow to melt in the winter, which will create ice dams as the water flows down the roof to cool spots. In some situations, the frozen water can cause shingles to become dislodged as the water expands.
Your gutters also play an important role with your roof, since they are designed to take water away from the roof as it rolls off the surface. Neglecting your gutters can cause water to flow back and get underneath the bottom row of shingles, or overflow and soak into the fascia boards.
Misconception 3: Your Roof Warranty Will Cover All Damages
Your new roof may have come with a warranty, but that doesn't mean that it is covered for all types of damages. Many warranties have stipulations that can void the warranty, such as allowing moss to grow on the surface and cause the roofing material to rot. Make sure that you are following the care instructions for your roof so that the warranty does not become void.
To learn more about your roof, contact a local roofing company.
The strong roof is one that has been carefully selected for your home, according to the local climate and your home's structure. The strong roof is one that you've taken the time to maintain, season after season. It's a roof that is protected by good insulation and a good warranty. Do you have a strong roof? As you check out the articles on this website, you'll come to a better understanding of what it means to have a strong roof and what you can do to keep your roof strong. We hope you enjoy reading these articles we've collected for readers like you.