ROOFING

HERE ARE THE TOP FIVE MISTAKES ROOFERS MAKE

1. Poor Nailing

Shingles need to be properly secured to make sure they stay where they are supposed to, otherwise they can slip down or let in water. Professional Roofing Contractors should use at least four nails per shingle with more on steep grades. In addition, nails shouldn’t be over or under driven and should only be positioned in the nail strip where they will be covered and protected by the next overlapping shingle.

2. Improperly Installed (Or Missing) Flashing

Roof valleys are the creases on a roof between two different slopes, and because they end up diverting a much larger amount of water and involve a lot of intersecting components, they need extra protection, which comes flashing. The same goes for borders around vents, skylights, and chimneys. And if the installation isn’t done right, using the right equipment, it means one thing: leaks. Metal flashing and other shielding should be installed with the shingles and should be well-secured with sealant to avoid issues and leaks down the road.

3. Non-Uniform Shingles

There are plenty of roofs where the shingles are not installed in an even pattern, or where the colors of all the shingles don’t match. If you’ve never seen it before, you’ll notice when you do. These roofs can have absurd waves and slants, either in orientation or color pallet, which draws the eye and really brings down the overall effect. What’s worse, it’s enough evidence of improper roofing installation to void the manufacturer’s warranty, which can leave a homeowner in a bad spot if the roof were to fail prematurely.

4. Neglected Ceiling and Attic Ventilation

While proper insulation is vital for maintaining your home’s comfort and energy efficiency, it’s just as important to make sure that air can escape from attics and ceilings. Otherwise, moisture will gradually build up in the space over time, which will rapidly degrade your insulation, home structure, and the shingle material itself.

5. Cutting Corners

When you have your roof replaced it’s important that the old shingles, flashing, and other materials be properly removed and disposed of. Unfortunately, many roofing companies will try to cut corners by leaving or reusing different materials—or even by nailing new shingles down directly on top of the old roof. This is a recipe for disaster. All old shingles must be removed and any flashing with signs of damage, wear, or failure must be replaced to ensure that your new roof will hold up without problems for its full estimated lifespan—and hopefully longer!