If you have a home, you have a roof that shelters you from the elements, from rain and storms, snow or excess heat. The roof provides a calm shelter for you and your family. It is so important to maintain your roof. A single hole in a shingle or an area of missing insulation could cost you and lead to larger problems.
It is therefore important to choose your roofer very carefully, even if you need a simple repair. You must ask your roofer about his methods and approach to repairing rooftops like yours so he doesn’t make any these common mistakes.
Common Mistakes that Roofing Contractors Make
Skipping the permit and insurance step
Usually, you need a permit to install a new roof. The homeowner is liable and could be fined if he fails to obtain a permit. Insurance is also extremely, as it protects you and your contract from potential damages or injuries. A responsible contractor will think ahead and take action to protect you in every possible scenario.
Neglecting proper insulation
In places like Minneapolis, ice dams are a common occurrence. Ice dams form at the roofline during heavy snowfall and can force water to percolate through the shingles and down into the house. This can be prevented by creating a layer of insulation at least three feet thick beneath the roof.
Hiding old shingles with new ones instead of replacing them
This is a very common mistake that roofers make, especially to save time and money. Did you know it is illegal in some places to install a new roof without dismantling the old one? The weight of old shingles could weaken the structural integrity of your home. This practice can also result in an uneven and damaged roof. Roofers ought to remove the old shingles completely before installing new ones.
Using mismatched shingles
An amateur roof contractor might not have a well-stocked or reliable supplier, forcing him to piecemeal the materials needed for your roof repair. In such a case, your roof will have a mix of different sized and coloured shingles. This will no doubt look unattractive and it could affect the overall resale value of your home.
Incorrect size of fasteners
Fasteners or nails are used to hold the shingles together on the roof. When these are too small, they cannot properly hold shingles together, causing a loosening and shifting of your roof. When they are too big or placed inappropriately, nail heads are left exposed to the elements, causing them to corrode quickly and eat holes into your shingles.
Improper ventilation
An experienced roofing contractor knows the importance of proper ventilation in a house. He is also aware of how roof plays an important role in maintaining the right balance of heat and moisture in a house. His plan will include proper attic ventilation. Without it, shingles wear out sooner, damaging the insulation.
Reusing flashing
Flashing is made of metal and is installed on the roof to force water away from the roof. Flashing is used around chimneys or at the joint of two slopes. Reusing old flashing is a useless cost-saving technique. Even if the flashing looks to be in good condition and seems reusable, it will have a shorter lifespan than the other materials used on your roof. Using old flashing might make cause you to need another roof repair earlier than expected.
Improper installation of flashing
If not installed correctly, flashing can damage the rest of your new roof. Flashing should always be installed underneath the shingles and not above them. The alignment, fastening and overlapping of the flashing must be done carefully. If anything goes wrong in the installation process, the roof will likely leak.
Choosing the correct material
Material selection is critical to a successful roofing project. Material choice will mainly depend on the local climate. For example, asphalt shingles aren’t waterproof. If you live in an area where it rains or snows a lot, asphalt shingles would not be a good choice, unless the slope of your roof is at least four units of rise per 12 units of run. Ask your contractor about the materials available to you.
Using an experienced team of roofing contractors is so critical to ensuring you have a home that will last. Bruggeman Exteriors have been in the construction business for 60 years. We know how to install a new roof the correct way and within budget. We will walk through this process with you from start to finish, from design to completion.
If you are looking for roofing companies in Minneapolis, Restoration Experts from Bruggeman Exteriors can come at your home and give a free inspection. Partner with us, and you’ll receive peace of mind.
