Debunking Common Roof Repair Myths

One would think that there would be no mysteries with something as commonplace as a roof, yet myths about it still persist, particularly in topics concerning roof repairs. In today’s post, local residential roofing company US Roofing sets the record straight and debunks common myths about roof repairs.

MYTH: You Can Add as Much Roof Insulation as You Want

A properly-insulated roof helps prevent heat leaks, which can protect your home two ways. During summer, it helps keep heat absorption to a minimum and reduce your cooling bills. During winter, it helps keep heat indoors and reduce your heating bills while preventing ice dams. A roof has to have just the right amount of insulation. Put in a little bit too much and it will choke roof ventilation and trap moisture in the attic, which can lead to problems like mold growth and damage to the roofing structure.

MYTH: You Should Install a New Roof Over Your Old One

Re-roofing is the practice of installing a new roof right over the old one. This is not a recommended practice — unless under very specific conditions — because there will be no opportunity to inspect the roof’s structural condition and perform repairs, which places the roof at a greater risk of premature failure. In fact, the only benefit of re-roofing is the cost savings from tearing off the old roof and its subsequent disposal. One can also argue that it can shorten installation time and reduce the risks of delaying installation during peak season, when seasonal roof jobs are in high demand. Ultimately, the risks of re-roofing outweigh the benefits.

MYTH: You Can Mix and Match Asphalt Shingles

Some people say all asphalt shingles are the same, and that you can grab just any type of shingle to patch damaged ones. While all asphalt shingles are made the same way — they’re all cut from asphalt-soaked backing material, with granules made of crushed stone and ceramic pressed on one side — they are certainly not the same. Different combinations of granules add variety in color, as well as features like solar heat reflectivity and algae resistance. Different ways of cutting creates different asphalt shingle profiles, from the flat look of standard three-tab shingles to custom premium shingles. A good roofer should be able to find the right type of shingles to replace damaged ones.

US Roofing is your leading provider of residential and commercial roofing services. Give us a call at (978) 722 4679. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.