It is easy to believe roofing myths that people tell you. When there are home repairs needed, it seems like everyone you know is an expert. So how can you identify and avoid them, before they can cost you big time?

Here are top five most common roofing myths and how to avoid them:

Repairing My Roof Will Be Expensive

This is an unfortunate misunderstanding that often times prevents homeowners from taking appropriate actions to protect their home and roof. While extensive repairs can be expensive to perform, many repairs can be performed quickly and affordably. An experienced roofer will be able to identify any issues and inform you of the proper repairs at an affordable price. When done in a timely manner, this can save you money in the long run by preventing more substantial damage to your home and prolonging the life of your roof.

A Roof Doesn’t Need to be Replaced Unless It Leaks

Not all leaks and other roofing issues can be easily detected as is the case in an obvious leak. Only a professional roofer knows how to inspect your roof and uncover potential problems that can be fixed before they turn into major repairs. Remember, once water gets into the roofing system, it can cause damage to the decking, structural components, and some other interior elements, which means that once you do replace your roof, you will be paying a lot more for additional repairs.

It is Fine To Install New Shingles Over the Old Ones

A common roofing myth that you might have heard is that installing a layer of new shingles over the old ones will save you money. But that is not true. You might save a little money initially; but it will cost you in the long run, and it could cost you big. This is because your roof can only sustain a certain amount of pounds per square inch (PSI) and adding another layer of shingles can add a tremendous amount of weight to your roof that could potentially result in extensive structural damage such as a potential roof collapse. Unfortunately, a new layer of shingles will not keep moisture out because the old degraded roofing underlayment is still in place.

Dark Colored Shingles Will Result in Higher Energy Bills

This is one of the most common myths we run into. Darker shingles can absorb more heat on sunny days. While there is some truth to this that doesn’t necessarily mean you will have higher energy costs. This is because, in most cases, your attic has a layer of insulation and is vented which results in the reduction of heat from transferring from the roof into your home.

All Asphalt Shingles Are the Same

This is another roofing myth that could cost you. Even though asphalt shingles are all made from similar materials; not all of them have the same quality. In fact, asphalt shingles come in a variety of textures and colors, not to mention the varying quality of the different brands. It’s best to talk with your roofing contractor for more information about the brand of shingles they use and why.