Two Things You Should Never Do To Your Roof – Rules Of A North Carolina Roofing Company

There are some things that never need to be said. Don't spit in the wind. Don't rock the boat. Never tell a lady how old you really think she is. But when it comes to your roof, common sense doesn't always prevail. That's why you should follow the advice of a friendly North Carolina roofing contractor, and be a little more careful when it comes to how you treat your roof.

North Carolina Roofing Contractor Rule No. 1 – Don't Scrub BRUSH or Pressure Wash Your Roof

North Carolina is great for people who love to be outdoors. Unfortunately, the trees and warm climate that we enjoy so much also make a great environment for algae to grow and thrive on our roofs.

When most homeowners see black algae staining their beautiful roofs, they want to get rid of the nasty stuff as soon as possible. But there's a right way and a wrong way to do it.

Our instinct is to start scrubbing. The more aggressive homeowner may even want to get on the roof with a pressure washer and start blasting the black crud away. Both of these options will get the job done, but they'll permanently damage your shingles along the way.

The abrasive action of brushing and pressure washing will remove mineral granules from your shingles, along with the algae. Granules are a critical part of a shingle, as they provide protection against impact, solar radiation, heat and even fire.

Removing granules from your shingles strips them of this valuable protection. As a result, your roof is more vulnerable to weather and other damage. Roof leaks are more likely to develop sooner than later, and you will be faced with paying for roof repairs and a roof replacement earlier than you should.

If you want to clean your roof safely, use a non-abrasive chemical cleaning method. You can clean your roof on your own, but it's best to hire someone who specializes in roof cleaning. The process requires a great deal of chemicals and time. The work is also hazardous, because it requires someone to walk on a slippery, sloped roof.

North Carolina Roofing Contractor Rule No. 2 – Don't Let Uncle Mike Cut Holes In Your Roof

There are times when it is necessary to cut holes in your roof. If you want to add skylights or roof ventilation, for example, some fairly large holes will need to be cut through your roof deck.

Your Uncle Mike may tell you he has done this a million times, but what he might not reveal is that he has also created a million roof leaks. Cutting holes in your roof is more than grabbing a saw and opening a hole. As any North Carolina roofing company will tell you, you've also got to repair the hole so water can't seep in around it.

Every reputable roofer knows that flashing must be properly installed around roof penetrations to avoid roof leaks. It's standard operating procedure for your North Carolina roofer, but Uncle Mike may try to convince you it's not necessary. He may even show you a tube of outdoor caulk that he plans to use, instead.

Don't listen to him. When it comes to roofing, caulks and sealants may be useful as a temporary emergency fix, but they are no substitute for flashing.

Before you hire someone to perform a home improvement job on your roof, make sure they install the proper flashing and back their work up with a solid warranty against roof leaks and other damage. If you sense they aren't paying enough attention to the risks or water damage, consider finding someone else to do the work. You may even contact your North Carolina roofing company to see if they can perform the job or recommend someone that is reliable.

Let A Free Roof Analysis Ease Your Mind

If you have questions or concerns about future renovations or your existing roof openings, we encourage you to contact us today.

The Findlay Roofing team is always happy to answer all of your roofing questions. We are also pleased to offer a free roof analysis, which includes an evaluation of your roof's overall condition, as well as a detailed inspection of every potential problem area.

We look forward to helping all of our neighbors in Charlotte, Raleigh and across North Carolina take care of their roofs and their homes.