Taking care of your roof is one of the most important parts of being a homeowner. Since we are literally talking about the roof over your head, you want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to protect it. That includes avoiding a few things as well. So, today we’re going to discuss a few things you should avoid doing, for the sake of your roof.
Walking On It
Let’s start with one thing that causes more damage to your roof than you would ever think, and that’s walking on it. By walking on your roof, for whatever reason, you are causing unnecessary damage to not only the wood structure, but also the shingles. This is especially true if you have tile or wood shingles on your home.
Adding Solar Panels
Next up is adding solar panels to your roof. Not to mention that you’re walking across the roof to do this, but screwing in panels and adding extra weight will undoubtedly cause more harm than good. Of course, you can still add the solar panels if you wish, just make sure you hire a professional that has the expertise to do so safely.
Installing A Satellite Dish
Installing a satellite dish on your roof is another sure way to cause unsightly damage. This can be caused not only by the screws and mounts that are used to attach the satellite, but also any extra support posts needed.
Once the satellite is installed, there is a chance that it will cause a leak in the roof. Since this is completely avoidable by mounting the dish somewhere else, there’s no excuse for this type of roof damage.
Cleaning Your Roof
Cleaning your roof can also cause some damage, if you are using a power or pressure washer. The pressure behind the spray can cause shingles to come loose, and sometimes even fall off completely. This is another one of the jobs you could hand off to a professional, to ensure that the job is done safely. If you need to clean your roof and you are not sure if what you need help give Authentic Restoration a call.
If you insist on doing it yourself, make sure you get the right tip for the pressure washer. In this case, you will need one with a low pressure. Then you want to make sure you are going in the right direction, so as not to knock anything loose. Do not go against the shingles, only in a downward motion.
Not Cleaning Your Roof
While cleaning your roof can cause damage, not cleaning it can as well. To be more exact, not cleaning the gutters can cause major problems. When gutters fill, it is with all the leaves and branches from the trees above.
Then it rains and causes everything to pack together. Soon, they are clogged up and not draining properly, which lets the water set at the edge of your roof, growing mold and causing damage.
Conclusion
The best way to keep your roof healthy is routine maintenance and care. Also, keep in mind everything we discussed today for the next time you have a project involving the roof. Whether you are cleaning it, adding something to it, or just walking across it to get a frisbee, always tread lightly and watch out for weak spots.
By protecting the structure, both inside and out, you will have a better chance of your roof lasting as long as the rest of the house.
