Things You Don’t Realize Are Damaging Your Roof
When you get a new roof and choose durable, long-lasting 30-year shingles, you expect them to last, well, 30 years, right?
Between super hot, sunny summers, big hail storms, and high winds (sometimes from tornados), Oklahoma roofs take a beating. Many homeowners are shocked when their 30-year shingles need to be replaced after just 10 - 15 years.
On top of the weather, there are several things we see homeowners do that age their roofs prematurely. If you want to get the most out of your roof, we recommend not doing the following things.
Christmas Lights
Christmas lights are beautiful and we aren’t here to dampen your holiday cheer, but we’ve got to be honest — nailing your Christmas lights to the roof is a bad idea. Anytime you put holes into your shingles, you’re creating entry points for water. No, you aren’t likely to create holes that lead to big leaks inside your home. But you are creating openings in your roofing system that let water in, which degrades it before it has the chance to turn 30.
Christmas Lights
A much better option is to use plastic clips that slide under the edge of your shingle. These are much less likely to cause damage and still let you create beautiful light displays.
Foot Traffic
When you get on the roof to clean gutters or the cable guy climbs up there to adjust your signal, you can scratch the shingles or knock the UV granules off. Ever wonder about the purpose of the textured top layer of your shingle? It’s to block damaging UV rays from the sun that can wear away the shingle. Scratches and scrapes won’t destroy your roof, but they do create more opportunities for weather to damage your roofing system, decreasing that 30-year projected lifespan.
Foot Traffic
There will definitely be times when people need to get on your roof. When they do, we recommend laying down a mat in the work area so their feet and tools don’t scratch the shingles. Wearing specialty shoes that won’t damage the roof is also helpful.
Poor Ventilation
If you don’t have proper ventilation in your roof system, it can cause issues year-round. In the summer, heat can get trapped in your roof and cause your AC costs to skyrocket. It can also wear out your air conditioning unit too quickly. In the winter, warm air rises to the peak of your roof and melts snow, while the edges stay cold. This can cause ice dams to form, which can lead to leaks.
Illustration by Owens Corning
Poor Ventilation
There’s more to a great roof than just shingles. In fact, there’s a whole system of layers that work together. You need vents and you should make sure they aren’t clogged with stray insulation or other debris. A roofing contractor can assess the quality of your ventilation and help you get your roof in great shape.
Illustration by Owens Corning
Gutter Cleaning
The first priority when cleaning your gutters is your own safety, but the health of your roof comes in a close second. If you aren’t careful, your feet or your ladder can damage shingles or gutters and introduce water into your roofing system.
Gutter Cleaning
If you choose to get on top of your roof to clean the gutters, walk carefully and use a mat to protect the shingles below you. Make sure you choose footwear with soles that will give you stability but won’t dig into your roof. (Pro tip: soccer cleats aren’t the right rooftop footwear. Choose something like a Chuck Taylor instead.) And, importantly, choose a stable ladder.
Is Your Roof Damaged?
Have you ever done any of the no-no’s listed above? If so, it’s never too late to start some good roof care habits. It may also be a good idea to check out the condition of your roof to see if you have any existing damage. So, how do you inspect your roof without causing more damage? Here are our top tips:
Check the inside of your attic for leaks, holes, or wet rafters.
From the ground, walk around your home and look for any obvious sagging or low spots.
If you feel comfortable, get on top of your roof and use a mat to protect the area under your feet. Look for:
Missing nailsMissing UV coating on the shinglesMissing or damaged shinglesHolesBubbling or raised areas
For most homeowners, their roof is out of sight, out of mind. If you haven’t taken a look at your roof or had a professional inspection done in the last year, then it’s time to schedule one.
