Your roof is an important component of your home that needs to be regularly maintained. Repairing your roof is more expensive than maintaining it. Necessary repairs must be done when they are required.
5 Small Roof Repair Mistakes Homeowners Miss
Mistakes happen during roof repair. Not knowing that a mistake has been made could be costly in the long run. Here are 5 small roof repair mistakes you should avoid…
1. Misdiagnosing Water Leaks
Water leaks are the most common sign that there is something wrong with your roof. However, a leak in your ceiling does not mean that the problem is necessarily above the leak.
Water leaks can flow along joists, pipes, and electrical systems. Water drips on your ceiling when it finds a low spot to pool on. For this type of water leak, the spot on your ceiling may not be the source of the problem. The cause of the issue could be some distance away from the water damage you’ve noticed.
Additionally, a roofer may think they have fixed an issue if they only work on the area above the leaks. Misdiagnosing leaks may result in the reoccurrence of the leaks.
2. Ignoring The Cause Of The Issue
There is the possibility that you could be ignoring the cause of roof damage even when you put a new shingle over the source of the leak. A damaged or broken shingle can cause a leak. The source of the problem may not be the damaged shingle. In some cases, damaged or wrongly installed underlayment or decking can be the source.
Fixing the root cause of the problem requires a thorough roof inspection. Many amateur roofers cannot do this. To avoid mistakes, have a professional roofing contractor take a look at your underlayment, decking, and other home structures. This will help in fixing the root of the problem. The cause of the problem could be just one shingle, or it could involve multiple shingles.
3. Skipping The Attic
Skipping the attic during roof repair is a mistake you should not make. Oftentimes, your attic has a problem whenever there is an issue with your roof. Roof damage is sometimes the result of what is happening in your attic. And, by contrast, a problem that started from your roof can impact the attic too. Whichever way, do not ignore your attic.
A leak must get past your attic before getting to the living area of your home. You may notice peeling plaster or small water stains in your living area. However, the damage in the attic may be extensive. You could even have rot if the framing or decking has been exposed to water. Mold is another danger. It can quickly spread into your ventilation system once it grows in your attic. The spores of mold can cause respiratory issues when it gets around your home.
Also, ensure that your insulation is not waterlogged. Mold and bacteria breed around wet insulation. Additionally, poor ventilation in your attic can seriously damage your roof. Don’t make the mistake of ignoring your attic during a roof repair.
4. Sloppy Installation
Many roofers still do substandard jobs just for more financial gains. They try to save costs in terms of labor, time, and materials. Many things can go wrong during the installation of new shingles.
For example, some roofers try to save money and time by installing new shingles over existing ones. In some situations, it is acceptable, but it is not always the best choice. Moreover, it is inappropriate to build-up shingles of more than two layers. However, if this is needed, then you must ensure that the weight of the added shingles can be supported by the frame and decking.
Additionally, shingles should not be misaligned or crooked after installation or repair. The usage of wrong fasteners or short nails should be avoided. Also, ensure that shingles are nailed properly.
Furthermore, a shingle will be more susceptible to curling, leaking, and wind damage if it is not installed with the right technique and in the right spot. This could make your warranty void, with the bad shingles costing you a lot of money.
5. Poorly Matched Shingles
Matching shingles can be difficult. They will not look the same as they did when they were originally installed. Weathering could have caused them to change.
Getting the exact match to your shingle is almost impossible due to weathering. However, the match you get could either be worse or better. You can get a better match when you take your time to select one that fits your roof. An expert roofer will do all that is possible for the patch to be unnoticeable.
Conclusion
Roof repairs can be very stressful. Mistakes like the ones already discussed can make a problem worse. Moreover, having the repair done right the first time will avoid having to deal with small roof repair mistakes, therefore saving you stress and money in the long run.