Putting a new roof on your home can be very expensive. Most mistakes have to do with water damage. A roof should protect your home against all kinds of weather and most importantly keep inside your home dry. Let’s get into 15 common roofing mistakes to avoid. Also, see this complete metal roofing guide.
- Not Removing Old Shingles
One of the biggest roofing mistakes is to place new shingles over old ones. Placing new shingles on the new ones will create areas for moisture and dirt to accumulate.
- Reusing Old Flashing
You should always replace old flashing even if it still looks good. When you reuse old flashing, you may be risking major issues like water damage.
- Nail Placement
This is another common mistake you should avoid. Nails should be placed at their exact locations. The main issue is placing the nail where it will be exposed rather than under the shingles.
- Nail Length
Another major mistake is using inappropriate nail length. When inappropriate nails are used, you risk the shingles loosening. This will later reduce the lifespan of your roof.
- Slate Coloring
Another major concern in roofing is getting slates that match. There is no harm in having mismatched slate coloring but it will lead to your roof looking checkered or mismatched.
- Poor Attic Ventilation
Your attic is a very important part of your roof. You should always make sure that your roof is well ventilated. Excess heat build-up can damage your roof and ruin your roof’s insulation.
- Roofing Permit
Another mistake to avoid is getting a roofing permit. A roofing permit makes sure you are getting a roof that abides by your local building laws. Installation of a roof without a permit can lead to suspension and fines.
- Drip Edge
A drip edge is installed at the edge of your roof to redirect water away from the wall of your home to the nearest gutter. You should avoid this mistake as water may end up under your shingles.
- Starter Strips
This is a common mistake that comes at the start of roofing your home. Starter strips should be used to seal the first set of shingles along with the eave.
- Underlayment
Another major mistake you should avoid is making sure that a new layer of underlayment is applied before any material is added.
- Manufacturer’s Guidelines
Ignoring the manufacturer’s instructions may lead to improper installation and increase your chance of damage.
- Slope Of Your Roof
Another common mistake is assuming that what works on one roof will work for all. Choosing the wrong material for the slope will leave the roof open to water penetration.
- Shingle Alignment
One common mistake is misaligned shingles. Misaligned shingles may create cracks and gaps in your roof and cause water damage to your roof decking.
- Ice Dams In Cold Climates
In cold climates, when the snow melts on your roof and re-freezes, the force can pull shingles up. You should include an adhesive water barrier to cover the edge of your roof.
- Shingle Overhang
Another common mistake is making shingles stop at your roof edge. They should hang over the roof even if you have a drip edge.