5 Common Roofing Myths That Could Get You In Trouble

Roofs are one of the most integral elements of home structures, yet it’s surprising how little most people know about them.

This widespread unawareness leads to misconceptions about roofing in general, and roof-related issues and services. But given that roof repairs are incredibly expensive, it’s best not to pay attention to these myths and instead reach out to licensed roofing contractors when in doubt.

Here are some of the most common roofing myths that you need to ignore.

Myth No. 1: You Can Install New Shingles on Top of The Old Ones

Reality: The truth is that you can install new shingles over older ones, and it’s probably going to cost you a lot less, but it doesn’t mean you should.

Your roof isn’t designed to bear a lot of weight, and an entirely new layer of shingles can be quite a burden on the roof. The extensive weight could cause structural damage, and your roof could collapse. This way, you’ll end up spending a lot more money on an entirely new roof than you initially saved.

Myth No. 2: A Dark-Colored Roof Will Result in Higher Energy Bills

Reality: While it’s true that dark-colored shingles do absorb more heat, they can’t actually make your entire house hot; therefore, you wouldn’t be paying a higher bill unnecessarily.

Thanks to attic insulation and roof ventilation, the heat absorbed by your dark roof never makes it to the rest of your house. As a result, your house stays cool, and your energy bills remain pretty low.

Myth No. 3: Your Roof Is Always Okay Unless It Leaks

Reality: Some leaks are obvious; others aren’t, but leaks almost always have an underlying cause. These are usually some minor issues in the roofing system that eventually evolve into bigger issues like leaks when left unchecked.

This is why regular roof inspections are a must so that roof leaks can be detected ahead of time and addressed before they become bigger, more costly issues.

Myth No. 4: A Brand-New Roof Doesn’t Require Maintenance

Reality: This myth is understandable, but it’s still a myth. Once you’ve installed a new roof, you may feel that your work is done, and you don’t need to worry about it for a few years. But if only that were true.

New roofs are just as exposed to unpredictable weather conditions and damage as older ones. So, they do require inspections, no matter how great and new they appear to be.

Myth No. 5: You Can DIY Roof Repairs

Reality: Most people like the idea of going the DIY route with roof repairs mainly because roof repairs and replacements can get incredibly expensive, but this is never a good idea.

Roofs are pretty complex systems and have several elements, each incredibly important. Most people don’t have the information or the expertise to make sense of the roofing system as a whole.

With a DIY, not only could you end up voiding the roof’s warranty, but you could also make the issues worse, which will eventually lead to even more expensive repairs or even replacements.

This is why it’s best to reach out to a local roofing company for your roofing services.

If you need emergency roof repairs in Pensacola, FL, we can help too.

Give us a call for more information.