Whether you’re looking to buy your first home or your fifth, it seems like everyone has some advice on how to best take care of your major investment, no matter where you fall on the homeowner experience scale. Although some tips and tricks can be helpful and beneficial, some of it, especially in regard to roofing, can be untrue and actually end up hurting your home in the long run. While some advice may have once been accurate, we’ve noticed some common myths over the years that are untrue and need to be clarified.

In the hope to set some of the records straight and do our part to combat the false claims out there, we wanted to bust some common myths we’ve heard over our decades of experience.

MYTH: A New Roof Won’t Need Maintenance For Years

As with most things, proper care and maintenance will ensure your roof is in good health for decades to come. Thinking of it in a similar way to a car can help make sense as to why periodically investing in your roof’s maintenance is critical. If you buy a brand-new car, you’re not anticipating any major breakdowns, but you’ll still probably take it in for periodic oil and engine checks—the same should be done with your roof. Although you shouldn’t have any significant issues with a new roof, like leaks or cracking tiles, it’s important to keep up regular maintenance on it to ensure things like roof penetrations are still sealed. We recommend hiring a roofing contractor that offers free, no-obligation roof evaluations for a roof check every two years to keep up with this preventative maintenance.

Many of today’s roofing maintenance have advanced features and are easier to install. They are more durable and energy-efficient too. However, it doesn’t mean that they are completely maintenance-free. Did you know that at least 80 percent of commercial roofs are replaced prematurely, mainly due to poor maintenance? When you’re proactive when it comes to your roof maintenance, your system can even last longer than its maintenance. A roof that receives routine maintenance usually lasts for about two decades, but it still depends on the kind of property you have and the roofing system.

MYTH: The Cheapest Roofing Materials Are Just As Good As The More Costly Stuff

There are a number of different roofing materials you can choose from. From asphalt and wood shake roofs to metal, foam, and clay roofs, every type of roofing material has its benefits and drawbacks. We even wrote an article going over the various pros and cons of typical Arizona roofing materials for this very reason. Doing your due diligence beforehand and performing preliminary research, as well as asking your roofing contractor the difference between your options, will help you determine what the best choice is for your needs and budget.

MYTH: If My Roof Doesn’t Have Any Leaks, It’s In Good Health

It’s easy to think that because there are no noticeable issues with your roof, it’s in good shape, but this isn’t always the truth. Just because there aren’t any leaks currently doesn’t mean there aren’t other issues waiting to pop up at the season’s first rainfall. We recommend getting your roof checked at least once a year to ensure it’s truly in good health. This will help you resolve any issues before they turn into major headaches and problems, and ensure your roof is resilient enough to weather whatever is thrown at it.

Just because you can’t see any signs of damage on your roof, it doesn’t mean that your roof is in good shape. You should have your roof checked at least once or twice a year to make sure that the system stays efficient. Maintaining your roof routinely will save you on major home roof repair costs.

Now that you know the truth about roof maintenance, be sure to schedule one as soon as possible. Regular roof maintenance can truly improve the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your home. If you’re looking for reputable contractors to work with you, get in touch with us at Nextgen Roofing. We offer home improvement services, including installing chimneys and decks. Call us today to set an appointment.