Don’t Fall for These 10 Common Roof Repair Myths

A roof needs to breathe. Having enough ventilation to let warm air escape and to allow airflow is integral to having a healthy roof and attic. An effective formula to use when determining the amount of ventilation you need is to work on a ratio of 1:300. If you have 300 square feet of insulated roof, you must have at least one square foot of ventilation. This can change from area to area, so check your local building code for guidance.

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Many people think of the attic as part of a home’s interior, but it might be better to consider it a covered outdoor space. An unused attic shouldn’t be heated or warm at all. In fact, you only want it to be a few degrees warmer than the outside temperature. It’s worth taking a look inside your attic to see if there is condensation building up. If so, the space may be too warm and the ventilation may not be working properly.

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Building codes are forever changing, so it’s important to keep up-to-date on the current code for roofing insulation. As we speak, R50 is required in new homes, depending on where you live. It’s important to ensure that your insulation is as efficient as possible. This will ensure your roof is fit for all seasons, and will also help reduce utility costs.

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Stop! If you have a house built before 1990 and the insulation hasn’t been updated, and you don’t recognize the type, do not touch it. It could be vermiculite insulation, which could contain asbestos. If you’re unsure, always call in the professionals to test for asbestos, then get it removed safely if it tests positive.

Pumping warm, humid air into your attic is asking for trouble. As I mentioned before, your attic shouldn’t have excess heat, so allowing your bathroom fan to be vented into the attic is not a good idea.

Lights give off heat. So if you are installing pot lights, you’ll need to cut a hole into your ceiling. If the lights are not sealed correctly, then heat will enter the attic and therefore affect your roof.

The current technology associated with skylights is becoming more advanced, so the chances of them leaking is quite low. However, if you skimp on the installation of your expensive skylights, then you might have an issue. A skylight needs to be installed by an experienced roofer and the necessary waterproofing steps must be taken.

Flashing is key in order to keep your roof watertight, so ensure the installation is done correctly. One roof can require a number of different types of flashing and each one needs to be installed in a different way. Unless you’re an experienced roofer, this is a good time to call in a pro.

Whether working on your own roof or hiring a professional, be sure that any old shingles are removed before the new ones are installed. If a company insists that covering the old ones with new is fine, remember that they’re just trying to avoid the labour it takes to remove the old ones. Insist the removal of old shingles is included in the quote.

Using cheaper materials for the roof because no one can see it could be a terrible mistake. As you may already know, a leaking roof can affect the entire house, and can cause a lot of damage. Do not skimp on the quality of materials when working on your roof – the extra money will not be a waste.