Top 3 Roofing Myths
It’s easy to take a roof for granted. After all, if it’s doing its job and is well constructed, you shouldn’t have to even think about it that often. Sadly, that also means that it’s easy for a lot of misinformation to pop up, myths that could cause problems if you believe them. Here’s a list of the three biggest ones.
Myth #1: Gutters Don’t Have Anything to Do With the Roof
Reality: The part of your roof with the shingles is only one part of the whole roofing system that protects your house. One of the biggest purposes of the roofing system is funneling and directing rainwater and snow melt away from the house. The gutters are the final step in that system, catching all of the water from the roof and putting it where it won’t cause structural damage.
When you have your roof replaced, remember that you may have to also get new gutters. Also, that gutter problems can quickly lead to problems with your roof. Even something as simple as clogged gutters can lead to water-logged fascia and rotting sheathing under your roof. It’s a good idea to keep your gutters clean and check them a few times a year to make sure that they’re functioning correctly.
Myth #2: A New Roof Can Be Installed on the Old Roof
Reality: A well-made roof will be structurally sound on every single layer from the support structure to the shingles. The whole point of getting a new roof is because the old one is weakened and giving you problems. When you install a new roof or shingles without removing the old one, your new roof inherits these problems.
More often than not, this approach is used as a way to save time and money. After all, you won’t have to rent a dumpster and spend time ripping up the old roof. But the truth is that it usually ends up costing more in the long run. Even if the current shingles look fine, there can be a lot of unseen damage underneath them, such as rotting decking. If you don’t remove these, you’ll just end up having to pay more to repair or replace that section in the future. It’s better to do it right the first time.
Myth #3: You don’t Need to Replace Flashing
Reality: Flashing is made of durable metal which can take an incredible beating without damage. So if it looks good, then you don’t need to replace it, right? Not so much. Over the years, flashing can become loose, rust, get cracked, or simply lose the seal on the edges. When that happens, water gets around your roof, and the whole system can be compromised, even if everything else is working well.
And that doesn’t just mean when you’re replacing a roof. Flashing can be damaged at any time, especially during heavy storms or going through extreme temperature changes. Fortunately, it can usually be replaced without too much trouble. As a general rule, your flashing should be inspected for damage at least twice a year.