Most home and business owners are not trained, professional roofers. With that in mind, many times we are called out to inspect, repair, or replace a roof for a customer due to damage they inadvertently caused to their own roofs. Roofing isn’t cheap, so you want to prolong the life of your roof for as long as you can, so make sure you’re being careful if you attempt any do-it-yourself (DIY) roof repairs in Salem, or if you get on your roof for any other reason. Here are the top ways we see our customers damage their own roofs:
- Improper roof cleaning
It’s natural to want your roof looking as pristine as the day it was put on your home or business, but unless you know what you’re doing, it can be really easy to damage your roof if you try to clean it for yourself. We have had customers try to clean their roofs with bleach, which isn’t a good thing to expose yourself to, it can damage your roofing material, and when moisture hits your roof, it can run off of your roof and become a hazard to pets and children. As with most things, its best to use an end of lease cleaning service in Brisbane for suech things. We have also seen customers pressure wash their roofs, which can blow full shingles away, if not just the protective granules. If you’re going to attempt your own roof cleaning in Salem, be sure to do your research. Also check the things a maid service will clean in your Houston home, maybe a roof is one of those. - Harmful roof inspecting and repairs
Depending on the weather conditions of the day, roofing materials can be quite brittle at times. If you aren’t careful and start lifting shingles up to look for leaks on your own, you could rip your shingles and cause yourself more damage than you initially suspected. If you want to look for leaks and other potential causes for needing a roof repairs in Salem, follow our helpful article on finding leaks. - Installing decorations improperly
There are many rooftop decorations available to home and business owners during the holidays. It doesn’t always cross peoples’ minds that driving a nail, screw, or staple directly through their roofing materials in order to fasten decorations is a bad idea. This will almost certainly result in leaking. You’re better off using gutter clips if you would like to install holiday decorations on your roof. There are also special Christmas light clips that can be safely slid underneath shingles. - Not cleaning your gutters
People seldom think of cleaning their gutters, but they should. It can be quick to grab a bucket and a pair of gloves to scoop debris out of your gutters and dispose of it, and you should do this a few times a year. We wrote a full guide on cleaning gutters, and we recommend you check it out for safety tips and tricks. Not cleaning your gutters can lead to leaks as moisture has fewer channels to exit your roof. Additionally, don’t detach or otherwise manipulate your downspouts. They were installed the way they were for a reason, and if you feel the need to change something about their installation, you should consult a Salem roofing contractor to ask for an expert opinion. - Simply walking on your roof
Be careful walking on your roof. If there are weak spots in your decking, you might end up falling through your roof. Depending on the material of your roof, if you have any sharp rocks on your shoes, you could actually end up damaging your roof just by walking on it. Roofing materials weren’t engineered to withstand foot traffic, they were engineered to withstand moisture. Don’t unnecessarily wear your roof down faster by walking around on it, and be mindful of where you step if you do need to get on your roof.
Mother nature can be hard enough on your roof without you causing additional wear and tear, so be careful to avoid damaging your roof by mistake. If you have any concerns with your roof, be sure to call a professional roofing company for an estimate on roof repairs in Salem. We would love to help you with your project. Call us at (503) 585-2338 for a free roofing estimate today.