Many people choose to repair or replace their roofing themselves. Many replace or repair their roof to save money. However, a mistake can cost you more in repairs and aggravation. This article focuses on mistakes made with asphalt shingles. If you choose to repair or replace your own roof, be sure to avoid these common do-it-yourself roofing mistakes.
Foundational Support Roofing Mistakes
Ensure to install proper supports including:
- Sheathing—the foundation of your roof. Check the sheathing for stains, warping or weakness. Replace any weak boards. Make sure any replacement boards match your current boards.
- Ice shield—a water-proof membrane. Ice shields prevent any melting ice from seeping through the roof.
- Flashing around objects—any item that sticks out of a roof needs flashing properly installed. This includes chimneys, vents, skylights, etc. Improperly installed flashing allows water to enter the house at these points.
- Flashing in valleys—flashing also needs to be installed anywhere that two sections of the roof meet. These areas handle much water runoff and thus need extra protection.
Improper Shingle Installation
First of all, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. When you choose not to follow their guidelines, you void their warranty.
One big mistake do-it-yourselfers make is covering old shingles with new shingles. It may be tempting to skip the challenging task of removing the remnants of your old roof. Don’t give in to that temptation. It can create several places for dirt and moisture to collect. It also wears down your new shingles much more quickly.
Three-tab shingles need at least four nails per shingle. A roof with a higher pitch, needs six nails per shingle. Also, make sure to drive the nails through the barrier and into the sheathing. Many DIY installers also install the starter shingles incorrectly. Starter shingles need to be placed along the eaves to protect water from coming under the shingles.
When laying down the shingles, make sure you align them correctly. The cutouts need to be vertical. The butted joints need to be on the same horizontal plane. Also, pay attention to how much of the shingle is exposed. Most three-tab shingles recommend five inches. Be sure the shingles hang over the drip edge between a half and three-quarters of an inch.
Improper Ventilation
Improper ventilation in an attic will cause problems for your roofing. If your roof does not have vents, install vents when you replace your roof. Leave space between the insulation and the roofing material allowing for a pocket of cool air during the winter. This helps prevent snow from melting and then freezing against the roof. When snow melts and freezes, it creates ice dams. Ice dams often go up under shingles creating leaks in the roof.
Incorrectly installing your roof voids any warranties. Roofing mistakes also opens your home to leaks. When one installs shingles improperly, they can easily blow off. Any problem caused as a result of improperly installing a roof will cost you money. Until you have lived with a faulty roof, you may not appreciate the value of a well-installed roof. For a properly installed roof, contact Specialty Home Products. We do roof installation right so that you can have the peace of mind that your roof will last. Call us today for your free estimate.