Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home as it protects you from extreme weather conditions and other external threats, keeping you and your family safe all the time. Thus, it is important that you care for your roof as much as you care for other parts of your home. It is easy to find tips online about proper roof care, or you may hear tips from friends about how to keep your roof in tip-top shape. However, you have to be careful as not everything you hear may be true. Here are some of the common myths about proper roof care that you need to know.
1) Your brand-new roof needs no maintenance
So, you’ve recently installed a brand-new roof for your home. Don’t think that just because they are new, you can forget about them for the next few years. They still need a bit of TLC if you want them to serve their function for a long time. There are instances when a new roof was not installed properly, or a defective material was installed, making your roof prone to damage. You have to inspect it at least once or twice a year. With basic care and monitoring, homeowners can keep metal roofing attractive for decades, which can protect their investment and minimize their expenses.
2) Your roof is fine if you don’t see any leaks
Leaks are great indicators of the condition of your roof. However, it’s not all the time that leaks are visible. Especially in a country like the Philippines where rains can be really strong and the sun can be harsh, extreme weather conditions may affect the integrity of your roof. It can take a while for signs of roof damage to manifest. For instance, water stains don’t appear until enough water accumulates in your roof and makes its way to the other parts of your home. By the time water stains appear, it’s usually too late to mitigate damage from the leak. Corrosion may have already starting, but you just don’t see it. This is where the regular inspection can help. Debris or water buildup on your roof needs to be removed before they can cause further damage.
3) You can use a pressure washer on your roof
You might have seen videos of people cleaning various surfaces with a pressure washer. It is indeed satisfying to watch as the dirt or discoloration disappears in an instant, but take note that it is not advisable to use a pressure washer on your roofs. Yes, it can remove stains, mold, and other types of dirt easily, but it can damage your roof. Most roofs are designed only to withstand the impact of strong rainfalls. Anything stronger than that can damage your roof’s protective layer and cause damage later on. If you want to clean your roof, using a regular garden hose with mild cleaning solutions is enough.
4) You can easily do roof repairs yourself.
The above statement is not actually a myth. You might have seen a video online about roof repairs, thinking you can do it too, just to save some money. You can indeed have some DIY repairs, but only if the damage is minor, like a missing shingle or tile, or a small hole that needs patching. But the DIY roof repair gives you a tough time as you are not a pro at repairing the roof or using the tools. If you are inexperienced or not comfortable going up your roof, it is best to leave them to the professionals. This is not only for your safety but also to ensure the quality of the work done on your roof. A sloppy DIY job can may more problems in the future.
For more tips on roof repair, read this: No Holes Left Unpatched: Fixing A Leaky Roof
5) Your gutter is not as important as your roof
Your gutters are an essential part of your roof, and they too require routine maintenance. Some people totally forget the gutter when thinking of roof maintenance. The gutters divert rainwater away from your home, preventing water damage to your roof, siding, landscape and foundation. However, clogs can prevent your gutters from doing their job. Just like your roof, your gutter must always be free of debris, mold or algae, or any other dirt or obstruction.
6) Your roof maintenance should be the same for all roof materials
Roofs come in different materials – wood, clay, concrete, metal among others. They have different lifespans, and how to keep them in excellent condition will depend on the material they are made of. It is best to refer to the guidelines provided by your roof manufacturer when it comes to proper roof maintenance.
As cliche as it sounds, prevention is better than cure. For your roof to reach its intended lifetime (or longer), you need to ensure that it is properly taken care of by following the right roof maintenance tips.
If you’re still searching for the best roof for your home, we recommend going with any of the roofing materials we have at Union Galvasteel Corporation. Our Duracorr roofing products are recommended for home, commercial, and industrial projects because of the stability and strength they provide. Our Durarib roofs are also ideal for residential projects. Both our Duracorr and Durarib roofs have a classic design. If you want something that looks more sophisticated, our Laverne roof creates an illusion of a concrete roof, all while providing leak protection. These roofs are prepainted, so you have one less work to do as you no longer have to paint them! These roofs come in various colors, so you are sure to find one that fits your style or matches your home’s color scheme.
Union Galvasteel is a roofing company in the Philippines that manufactures and distributes pre-painted and other galvanized roofing. If you need any of our products, we are easy to find, as we have the largest and most diversified distribution network in the industry. We have warehouses and sales offices in strategic locations throughout the country. Get in touch with us via our website or call these numbers for assistance: (02) 8520-8822-23; 8520-8831; (049) 545-0084 to 86 or 09175033965 (Globe) and 09190032303 (Smart).
