Roofing myths vs. facts for Tennessee homeowners and building owners

As a roofer serving Mt. Juliet and the rest of Middle and East Tennessee, we hear a lot of roofing myths about leaks, repairs, warranties and maintenance. Most sound reasonable, and some end up costing homeowners and building owners a bigger repair bill later. Here are the roofing myths we hear most often, and the facts behind each one.

Roofing myths homeowners believe

Myth: every roof leaks in a strong wind

Fact: a roof in good condition should not leak just because the wind picks up. When a strong wind does lead to a leak, the cause is usually storm damage, shingles that were not installed correctly, or an aging roof that has lost its seal. Wind damage is often covered by homeowners insurance, depending on your policy, so after a major storm it is worth having the roof checked for storm damage roof repair needs before small problems spread.

Myth: anyone can handle a roof repair

Fact: anyone can try, but that does not mean it will be done right. A professional roofer has the experience to trace a leak to its real source, which is often several feet from the stain on your ceiling, and the tools and safety gear to fix it. A handyman patch or a do-it-yourself repair can also cause problems with your shingle manufacturer's warranty, since most warranties expect work done to the manufacturer's installation standards. If water is coming in, call a team that does roof leak repair every day.

Myth: the shingles will melt in the heat and seal the leak

Fact: this never happens. Shingles have an adhesive strip that softens in summer heat to help each course bond to the one below it, but the shingle itself is not designed to melt and close a hole. Once a shingle is cracked or punctured, a leak is only a matter of time. Call a roofer as soon as you notice a problem.

Myth: my shingle warranty means the roof will last that long

Fact: a manufacturer's shingle warranty covers manufacturing defects. It promises the shingles are not defective, not that your roof will last for the whole warranty period. Storm damage, poor installation, poor attic ventilation, lack of maintenance and age can all shorten a roof's life. Enhanced warranties that cover installation workmanship are a separate thing: as a GAF Master Elite residential contractor, we can offer GAF enhanced warranties with up to 50 years of coverage on qualifying new-roof installations, including up to 25 years of workmanship coverage through the GAF Golden Pledge, with the terms in your proposal.

Myth: if the roof isn't leaking, it doesn't need attention

Fact: most roof problems start small and out of sight. Sealant around flashing ages faster than the flashing itself, pipe boots crack, and wind can lift and crease shingles that lie back down looking fine. A yearly roof inspection, plus one after major storms, catches those problems while they are still small repairs.

Roofing myths building owners believe

Commercial roofs can be similar to residential roofs or very different. A flat or low-slope roof uses different materials than a home, and it needs a different kind of care. Our post on commercial roofing facts goes deeper, but these three myths come up most.

Myth: a flat roof that isn't leaking doesn't need maintenance

Fact: regular maintenance is the most important thing you can do for a commercial roof. Seams, drains, flashing and rooftop equipment curbs all need attention long before water shows up inside. Working with a local roofer who knows your roofing system helps the roof reach its full life and lowers your repair costs. Our flat roof repair and maintenance page explains what we look for.

Myth: a flat roof is fine to walk on

Fact: flat roofs attract foot traffic, and every unnecessary trip raises the risk of punctures and worn spots in the membrane. Some traffic is normal, such as HVAC technicians making service visits, but keep everyone else off the roof surface.

Myth: one inspection a year is all a commercial roof needs

Fact: most commercial maintenance programs include annual or twice-yearly inspections, but building owners and facility managers should look more often. Watch for standing water, bird or animal nests, debris around drains and anything that looks out of place. A small fix now can prevent a major repair later.

How to tell a real roof problem from a myth

You can check a lot from the ground and from inside without climbing a ladder:

• Missing, lifted or creased shingles, especially after wind.
• Heavy shingle granules collecting in gutters or at downspouts.
• Stains on ceilings or around chimneys, skylights and vents.
• Damp or matted insulation, or daylight showing through the roof deck, in the attic.
• Sagging gutters or water spilling over them in a normal rain.

If you see any of these, leave the climbing to a professional and have the roof looked at.

Your local roofer in Middle and East Tennessee

Mobley Brothers Roofing & Renovation provides residential and commercial roofing, including inspection, maintenance, repair and replacement, from our offices in Lebanon and Knoxville, and we stand behind our roof repair work. Our motto is repair when we can, replace when we should. If you are in Mt. Juliet, see our Mt. Juliet roofing page. Both offices are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau in Lebanon and Knoxville. Call our Lebanon office at (615) 455-3131 for Mt. Juliet, Nashville and the rest of Middle Tennessee, or our Knoxville office at (865) 205-0800 for East Tennessee. You can also request a free estimate online.