It’s not uncommon for homeowners to want to do something with their roofs. But, whether it is adding a new shingle or changing the color, there are some things that you should never do. Things like using paint, bleach, or other harmful chemicals can lead to lasting damage and even cause your home to lose value. So, if you’re looking for ways to improve the look of your roof without doing any harm, then this blog post is for you!
In this article, we’ll be going over nine things you should never do to your roof that likely end up hurting your roof more than helping it. Let’s begin!
Hang a Basketball Hoop
If you enjoy basketball like many others, your home is an excellent spot to practice shooting hoops. However, when the basketball goal is installed on the roof, the issue arises. Why? You create vibrations when you shoot hoops, whether you make the shot or not. The bolts on your roof damage the roof’s seal as a result of these vibrations. You can save money by avoiding costly repairs such as broken seals and leaks.
Stapling Christmas Lights
There’s nothing wrong with getting into the Christmas spirit, but going overboard with the lights might lead to unintended consequences and costs. For example, you’re probably not thinking about home repairs when you’re stringing Christmas lights. It all depends on how the lights are hung. Nails, screws, and other such things can damage the roof’s material, resulting in leaks. You may have to spend a lot of money on repairs depending on the size of the leak.
Power Washing
Moss, mildew, dirt, and debris can collect and hold water, creating pressure that causes damage over time. Therefore, it is essential to remove roof debris regularly. A power washing may be necessary after a few years, but be careful not to damage the roof. Again, low pressure is the most excellent way to go.
Ignoring Debris
When it gets windy, those stray twigs and branches will blow over, right? Wrong. Some will become lodged between the shingles and will not just fall off. Instead, they’ll catch more and more trash as they become trapped, and they’ll build up. All of the debris will block the drainage system, scrape the tiles, and damage your roof.
After a storm, it can be time-consuming to remove the last few branches, but it is well worth the effort.
You can contact a qualified roofer to remove this debris if you are unable to do so yourself.
Ignoring Blocked Gutters
Ignoring blocked gutters and valleys is one of the worst things you can do. Sticks, twigs, leaves, branches, and seeds, among other things, can accumulate in the valleys and cause water to collect. As a result, your roof may begin to leak, allowing water to enter your home. Gutters are similar to valleys in that they can develop leaks as well. Water can pool and gather in gutters that are dirty or obstructed. Standing or stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitos and germs. Another consequence of pooled water is gutter leaks. These leaks could cause damage to your roof.
As a result, make sure your gutters are clean. If you’re unable to do it yourself, you can hire a professional cleaner to do it for you.
Installing a New Roof Over the Damaged Roof
It’s a good idea to save money in whatever way you can, but skimping on roofing by putting a new roof on top of an old one will result in expensive repairs and maintenance. It is true that “away with the old, in with the new” is a saying. Before the new roof is installed, the old, damaged roof must be removed.
Pulling up Shingles to Look for Leaks
When inspecting shingles for deterioration, many homeowners make the mistake of pushing or lifting them. Unfortunately, while you’re looking for damages, pulling the shingles does extra damage. You will generate leaks and other damage that will harm your roof and home from the inside out unless you are a roofing contractor.
Cutting Holes for Skylights
Attaching skylights to the roof is a great idea. Unfortunately, some homeowners make the mistake of cutting holes in their roofs for them. Installing your skylight will not only damage your roof, but it could also result in leaks and other issues with water entering your home or attic area from outside.
Another problem with cutting holes is that it can diminish the strength of your roof. This can lead to serious structural issues.
As a result, it is best to hire professional roofers like our team TCI Manhattan Roofing Repair Services NYC for this job. Skilled and experienced professionals like our team know how the installation process works and what materials should be used.
Installing a Satellite Dish
Satellite dishes can damage roofing materials, resulting in leaks. You may have to spend a lot of money on repairs depending on the size of the leak. Additionally, pools of water that come into contact with your satellite dish can cause rust and corrosion over time, as well as electrical shorts. And if you are not careful when servicing your dish, you could fall off the roof and seriously injure yourself.
As a result, it is best to consult your satellite provider to install this equipment in an alternative location. Such as on top of your home or nearby but not directly onto the roof. Alternatively, some companies offer internet services that can be installed inside and do not damage your roof.
