5 Roofing Mistakes You May Be Making

Roofing materials, especially those we use in the Venice and North Port area, are designed to withstand some fairly extreme conditions. After all, the roof is your first line of defense against punishing heat and UV rays, driving rainstorms and heavy winds – keeping your family safe and dry through some of our craziest weather.

Although a new roof installation can be expected to last for 25 years or more, there are some roofing mistakes which people make which could significantly reduce the lifespan and health of their roof. Check out the list below to see if you are making any of these common roofing mistakes, and if a few small changes could extend the life of your roof.

1. You Hire Non-Licensed Contractors: Licensed and insured roofing contractors are members of the community, have passed educational requirements, and have proper insurances to protect your home and their workers. Fly-by-night organizations may be cheaper, but there are few guarantees they will be available if things go wrong. Even hiring a trusted friend or doing the work yourself could cause issues down the road, as warranties may be voided, inferior materials are utilized or improper installation lends itself to leaks. A licensed roofing contractor will offer the experience, accountability, and insurance you need to protect you, as well as the warranties to guarantee their work.
2. You Don’t Conduct Regular Roof Inspections: Every Venice homeowner should visually inspect the roof after a storm, checking for missing shingles, detached gutters, or damaged flashing. But homeowners should also schedule an annual roof inspection to identify any minor roof issues which could become major over time. Also, even if your roof appears intact after a named storm (tropical storm or hurricane) , it is still considered prudent to take a close look at any out-of-sight damage which may have occurred.
3. You Put Off Roof Maintenance: You may notice a shingle or two is missing, or that the algae is really building up in one corner of your roof. The best time to fix an issue is as soon as it is identified, as any small vulnerability on a roof can be breached by a major rainstorm or a curious critter. Staying on top of small repairs will save you money in the long run, especially if they prevent a major roof repair or premature roof replacement.
4. You Never Look Underneath: It can be nearly impossible to spot roofing mistakes or a roof leak from the surface of the roof, but many leaks are easily detected from the attic. Inspecting your framing and attic insulation is a great way to determine if you have suffered any water intrusion. Look for dark stains, damp wood, or compacted insulation for signs that your roof is leaking. It is also much easier to determine the exact entry point of the water from the attic space then it is once the water begins dripping from the ceiling.
5. You Don’t Look Beyond Your Roof: Roofing materials can be damaged over time by tree limbs, random debris, animal nests and more. Trimming back trees will actually help to minimize every one of these problems. Although people love trees for shade, they can wreak havoc on a roof over time.  Trim back your trees, and look into other ways to keep your home cool and efficient, such as roof coatings or better ventilation.

At Kingdom Roofing, we take pride in the fact that we have been serving the Venice and Englewood communities with quality roof construction for decades. If you need a new roof installed, want to schedule an inspection, or need some minor repairs – we are the place to call. Because like you, we would like to see your roof last as long as it was designed to last.