Out of sight, out of mind.

Unfortunately, we often forget about our roof, even though it is arguably the most important element of our home. Without a healthy roof, your home is vulnerable to damage and deterioration caused by water intrusion, mold, and more.

Because we often take the roof over our heads for granted, we can also tend to do things which may cause some long-term damage to its structure. Here are some common roof mistakes homeowners make.

Roof Mistakes to Avoid

1. Hanging Things from the Roof: Whether you love to decorate for Christmas, or you want to shoot hoops with your kids, fastening too much to your roof can cause damage you don’t want. If hanging Christmas decorations, look for fasteners which will not wreak too much havoc on your roof’s structure – and don’t hang anything too heavy.Nailing or screwing something into your roofing tiles can leave cracks or holes which can give leaks a foothold, damage the shingle, or breach the underlayment. If you absolutely must play basketball in the driveway – and we understand – opt for a freestanding hoop.

   The vibrations of the ball hitting a hoop fastened to your roof may cause premature damage or deterioration to your roofing materials.

2. Putting a New Roof Over an Old Roof: While it may be tempting to save money, leaving the old materials in place rather than removing them can cause you some unforeseen headaches. For instance, if your old roof has any signs of mold, algae, or fungus, this will be growing under your new roof. Not only could it force its way down into your home, but could also affect the underside of your new roof, and even begin to dislodge new shingles.The best course of action when a new roof is required is to completely remove the older, deteriorating roof, and making sure the new roofing foundation is clean and healthy. Is their ever a time that you a partial section of your roof can remain?

   This all depends on the type of damage you are dealing with. Call al licensed roofing professional to help you to ascertain if you need a new roof vs. a repair – and if some of your roof can be salvaged.

   Avery Roof Services is glad to give you our professional and honest opinion.

3. Aggressively Cleaning Your Roof: In the Sarasota area, many homeowner associations require annual roof cleaning. Even if you do not have a covenant agreement in your neighborhood to keep your roof looking clean and maintained, you may desire to keep it free from dark stains, moss, debris and more. But the top 3 common roof mistakes include over-cleaning.Whether you scrub too often, use a power washer on a high setting, or continually pour bleach on your roof – you are likely causing deterioration of the roofing materials. If you clean your roof often and are seeing granular loss, cracked shingles or tiles, or noticing excessive moisture pooling, you may be overcleaning.

   Sadly, your desire to keep your roof looking great may be causing it to age prematurely. Your best bet is to ask your roofing company to gently and safely clean your roof during your annual inspection and maintenance. In this way, you are sure to have a healthy roof for many years to come.

Taking care of your roof is an important aspect to home ownership. If you would like advice, tips and recommendations on keeping you roof looking its best while protecting your home – call the experts at Avery Roof Services. We have been helping Sarasota residents stay safe and dry for decades.