The Truth About These 14 Residential Roofing Myths
The roof is one of the essential elements of any building. First and foremost, it protects the building’s occupants from environmental factors such as the sun’s heat, rain, insects, and the cold. Unfortunately, many homeowners (and even some contractors) risk their roofs’ integrity because they give in to these myths.
14 Roofing Myths
- Lightning will strike metal roofs
Because metal is a conductor, people naturally assume that metal roofs are prone to be struck by lightning. However, Building Design and Construction magazine debunks that notion. Lightning isn’t more likely to hit a metal roof. In fact, metal roofs make lightning strikes less dangerous.
Tall buildings and lightning rods, which are tall and better conduct electricity than air, are more likely to be struck because lightning seeks out the most direct path to the ground. On the other hand, residential houses are low and uniform in height, making them less likely targets.
Metal conducts electricity. This means that lightning will pass through faster with less friction or resistance. If the low chance of lightning hits a metal roof, it will safely pass through to the ground and has a low chance of starting a fire.
2. Metal roofs are high-maintenance.
Plenty of homeowners think that it takes a lot of time and resources to keep a metal roof in good condition. However, metal roofs require the same maintenance as other low-maintenance materials, such as asphalt shingles.
3. Metal roofs rust
Rust is arguably the main reason homeowners seldom choose metal roofs. While this myth might have been true some years ago, modern technology has allowed metal roofs to be resistant to moisture as tile or shingle roofs. This is all thanks to developments in metal manufacturing and rust protection processes.
4. Metal roofs are hot.
Although metal does get rather hot in direct sunlight, it is considered one of the coolest and energy-efficient roofing options today. This is because of its ability to reflect heat and shed it off faster compared to other roofing materials.
5. Metal roofs are flimsy.
It’s easy to think that these thin metal sheets are too flimsy to be a durable roof. On the contrary, experts claim that metal roofing is among the most durable roofing materials. It can withstand forces and other factors that could easily destroy other materials. The worst that could happen would be easily repairable surface damage, like dents.
6. Clients can work on their roofs themselves.
DIY roofing work is never a good idea. As a contractor, discourage your clients from repairing their roofs and here’s why.
For one, the strength and quality of the roof are at risk. While it may simply look like a cover on the house, roofs are complex building components that require a professional’s insight on how each individual part works. Because homeowners don’t have this in-depth knowledge of roofs, the chance of making mistakes is significantly high and the result would be a failed roof.
Two, their safety is at risk. In line with the lack of knowledge, they also lack proper safety training. The roof is the highest part of any house. One wrong move and DIY roofers could end up severely injured or worse.
7. Installing new shingles over old ones is fine.
This can’t be farther from the truth. While putting new shingles over old ones is cheaper and less time-consuming, it won’t last long. Doing this will only cover up issues, making it impossible to check the sheathing condition underneath. Suppose the roof is experiencing problems hidden like rotting or deteriorating due to age, neglected leaks, or insufficient attic ventilation. In that case, they won’t be able to be addressed, making the problem worse.
To prevent these issues, advise your client to invest in a complete roof replacement.
8. A roof doesn’t need fixing if there isn’t an obvious leak.
Just because the leaks are not visible doesn’t mean you don’t have a problem. The truth is that homeowners won’t see these leaks until it’s too late.
The roof might have several unseen holes, causing a lot of damage to the home. Unfortunately, because residents don’t see it, the problem grows and grows until there is dripping from the ceiling.
The best way to fix this is by prevention. Encourage your customers to have their roofs regularly inspected and maintained by professionals — emphasize that professionals should handle it. They will be able to locate and address the leaks before they cause serious damage to the home. More than that, the professionals will be able to identify other non-leak-related damages, such as access holes by pests or a faulty gutter.
9. Flashing needs to be replaced only when the roof will be replaced.
Many homeowners underestimate the importance of flashing. Without it, the roof’s most vulnerable parts are unprotected from water damage. So, the flashing should always be in prime condition.
Tell your clients that if they notice that the flashing is starting to develop problems, have it replaced immediately and not wait until they replace their roof. This is another reason why regular maintenance inspections are a must. The roof and flashing should be inspected at least twice a year.
10. The more insulation in the attic, the better
Proper insulation is essential in any home. Not only will it help regulate the indoor temperature, but it is also vital for the roof’s performance. Of course, inadequate insulation is a problem. Conversely, not many understand that having too much of it can lead to issues.
One of which is blocking roof ventilation at the eaves and soffits. When this happens, moisture is trapped and can cause early roof decay and mold to grow and spread. More than that, the water buildup from humidity can lead to serious structural damage to the rest of the house.
11. Asphalt shingles are all the same.
Asphalt shingles, like other construction materials, come in different qualities, features, and appearances. If a client who opts for asphalt shingles on their roof believes that they are all the same, educate them on the varying qualities, features, pros, and cons of each one.
Thanks to advances in modern technology, there are now shingles available that are laminated and reinforced with fiberglass, making them better and long-lasting. These can withstand 130-mph winds and are often warranted to last around 50 years.
Other asphalt shingles are made to mimic other materials like slate and wood shakes. Some are embedded with algae-resisting granules that prevent unwanted streaks from forming on the roof’s surface, which is common in humid areas.
12. Asphalt shingles are made with asbestos.
This myth was partially correct during the mid-20th century because asbestos needed to meet fire safety codes of that time. But around the 1960s, safer mineral stabilizers were used to make asphalt shingles fire-resistance, and asbestos in asphalt shingles was completely phased out. In a nutshell, asphalt shingles today are fire-resistant, safe, and asbestos-free.
13. Using dark-colored shingles means higher cooling costs.
While it’s true that dark colors absorb heat, making dark-colored shingles hotter on sunny days compared to lighter-colored ones. Be that as it may, it is not the direct cause of higher cooling costs. In truth, poor attic ventilation is the cause — it allows heat to transfer from the roof’s surface to the living space.
14. Asphalt shingles are made of 100% asphalt.
No, asphalt shingles are not purely made of asphalt. As a matter of fact, the product’s asphalt content is only 20% and is even less so in lighter weight asphalt shingles. This is because the industry standards regulate the weight of asphalt in shingles, making sure of the granule adhesion for weather resistance.
Busting these roofing myths
For centuries, homeowners and some contractors have compromised their roofs’ strength and quality because of these myths. That’s why it’s crucial to spread the truth about these roofing myths.
When the average homeowner is informed and educated on the truth, they will care for their roofs better, decreasing the risk of issues and problems. On the professional side of things, roofing contractors and workers can do a better job building, maintaining, and repairing roofs. They might have been doing a good job before, but busting these myths will make them better.
Why construction crew management is important
To successfully bust these myths and stop them from being implemented, you’ll need a skilled and knowledgeable crew backing you up. More than that, you’ll need to stay on top of things to prevent any problems onsite. This is where project management software comes in.
Pro Crew Schedule has roofing professional software made for contractors by a contractor. Because this project management app is completely mobile, managing construction projects and the construction crew can be done wherever you are. You can set up alerts so that everyone on the team is instantly notified of any changes to plans and schedules or when reports are due.
Plus, you can fluidly and virtually track the project’s progress. Easily spot any issue and immediately handle it before it even becomes a problem. The app even lets you monitor the crew: create a crew schedule, check their time-ins and -outs, and see who’s making the most use of their time.
Lastly, you won’t have to worry about the mess and chaos paper brings because you can do all this with just a single tool.
