The roofing to your home or commercial premise is vital to its overall appearance. But more importantly, the roof protects you against any weather condition. Ideally, many people do not see the value of their roofing until a problem develops.
A faulty or damaged roof is an eyesore and a serious safety hazard. And while roofing installations and repairs are expensive, they are pretty necessary and impossible to ignore. Avoiding common roofing mistakes will save you from unnecessary repair costs and the stress related to it.
Top 5 Roofing Mistakes That You Should Avoid
Here are the five common mistakes you should not ignore;
Failure to Remove Worn Out Shingles
It is legal across most states to cover old shingles with new ones. However, this is the most common mistake that many DIY enthusiasts and incompetent roofing companies make. The standard practice is to remove old shingles during replacements.
You risk creating crevices when you lay new shingles over old ones. Also, leaving old shingles during roofing repairs creates places for dirt and moisture deposits. With dirt and moisture on sections of your roof, the deterioration will be faster, leading to expensive repairs.
Poor Attic Ventilation
Since the attic is an essential section of your roof, it is an aspect that you do not want to overlook. Forgetting about it will potentially shorten the lifespan of your roof. As you probably know, your attic is responsible for providing a solid foundation for your shingles or tiles.
Without proper ventilation, your attic will become unnecessarily too hot. The excessive buildup of heat will potentially damage your roofing by causing roof decking and shingle failure. Also, too much heat will ruin your attic’s insulation and hike your energy costs.
Poor Flashing
Another mistake that you cannot ignore is on flashing. The flashing in roofing is a thin material often made from aluminum and helps to protect your roof as well as a myriad of other roof features. Flashing helps in redirecting water and helping to prevent leaks and water damage. Besides protecting your roofing, it also safeguards the chimneys, vents, and skylights.
The first mistake when it comes to flashing is reusing old flashing. The best practice is to use a new set of flashing even if your old flashing looks new. Also, install your flashing correctly and secure them to improve the safety and quality of your roofing.
Improper Nailing Procedures
If there is anything that holds your roofing together, it must be the nails. Any professional roofing contractor understands that a new roof has exact locations for placing fasteners and nails. Of course, failure to observe precision in nail placement is a recipe for the emergence of structural issues. Ensure to place your nails underneath the top of your shingles to avoid overexposure to external elements.
Again, nails come in different styles and lengths, and a random pick will not give you the right results. Choosing your ideal size of the nail will depend on the type of shingle you intend to use. Shingles will loosen if you use the wrong kinds of nails.
Doing the Work by Yourself
Although you might be good at handling many DIY projects, roofing is quite technical and not your ordinary DIY activity. It is an art that requires more than general knowledge and skills.
Firstly, the risk of working on sloping heights is unfathomable. You certainly do not have the skills to stay up there safely. Again, without the liability and personal compensation insurance, you may end up with unprecedented losses if something goes amiss.
It is crucial to work with experts who can take responsibility for anything that happens on the construction site during the construction phase and after leaving. A company such as https://www.loaconstruction.com/roof-services/austin-roofing-company/ is a typical example of a contractor that can take you through the process.
