On average, Americans spend about $9,100 on new roof installation. Some cities such as Denver have a much higher cost than the national average. Spending such amounts on roof installation clearly shows how big of an investment you’ll be making.
To get value for the money spent, homeowners expect an error-free roof installation. That is why most of them have been hiring the best roofing contractors.
However, trends have shown that many people continue to get erroneous roofing installation. Here are eight common roof installation errors and how to avoid them.
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Improper Nailing
Most commercial and residential roofs involve nailing. This is usually the case when metallic shingles are used as roofing materials. All the nails need to be driven into the roofing frame.
However, improper nailing has become a very common aspect during roof installation. Technicians want to finish the work quickly and move to another contract. In most cases, improper nailing leads to exposed nails.
The problem with improper nailing is that it allows water to penetrate underneath. Besides water penetration, improper nailing leads to a weak roof that can be blown away by winds. To avoid this problem, you will need to work with a reliable roof installation company.
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Poor Ventilation
As a living place, your house should have the best ventilation possible. It will allow for free movement of air in and out of the building. That is why you need to pay attention to the roofing design that you will be using.
You should know that poor ventilation is also crucial to your roof. If you live in a moist region, you need a well-ventilated roof to remove such moisture.
Licensed roofing companies pay critical attention to the issue of ventilation. They understand the spacing required. This helps in improving the quality of the roof and air circulation in the building.
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Reusing Old Flashing
Everyone is looking to save some money, even during roof installation. As such, everything that will bring the cost of roofing down is a welcome bonus. Unfortunately, not everything is worth trying as it can lead to long-term problems.
As it stands, a considerable number of people are enthusiastic about recycling. That is why most of the new homeowners have been reusing old flashing in roofing. There is no doubt that old flashing may look reusable.
Unfortunately, different roof material has an irregular service period. In this case, old flashing is not suitable because it has already gone through a lot. The best remedy is to buy new roofing materials.
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Improper Roof Slope
What is a slope in roofing? Although flat roofs are becoming common, every roof needs to slant at a specific gradient. This slanting roof slope is essential because it helps in draining water and snow away.
Before you start constructing your roof, it is good to know the slope that will work in your house. Remember that slopping is an essential part of residential roof designs.
When choosing roof slope, attention should not be overlay directed to design. The purpose of the slope should carry the day. Make sure that your slope drains all the rainwater into gutters.
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Covering Old Roofing Materials
Reusing old shingles is not the only problem. Some homeowners have been covering old shingles with new ones. This usually happens when the homeowner wants to save money by avoiding removing the old roof.
Unfortunately, a faulty roof is not something that you can solve by covering. In this case, you will be covering mold and other serious issues. There is no doubt that the new roofing system will be lacking proper underlayment.
By doing this, you will be accelerating the problem. The new shingles will not solve the errors that you’re trying to cover. The best roofing approach is to remove every old material and start afresh.
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Ignoring Local Microclimate
The roofing does not only address the design of the house. It must also pay attention to the local climate. Unfortunately, only a few roofing contractors seem to put this into considerations.
That is why you will find flat roofs in areas with very high rainfall. In such situations, water will accumulate on the roof and easily leak into your ceiling or damage your walls.
Do you experience cold and extended winters? This means that your roofing system needs additional vents to prevent condensation. If you have a lot of snow in your area, you need to have protective edges to prevent ice dams.
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Mismatched Roofing Shingles
Mismatched roofing shingles are an obvious roofing error. It can quickly occur when your roofing contractor purchases shingles from different suppliers. Most of the suppliers offer different shingles to their customers.
Roofing contractors working on a budget are likely to commit this error. They tend to buy from different dealers to get some discounts and thereby save on shingles.
The end product is that you will have mismatched roofing materials. The size difference can leave some openings, which will lead to leaking. Only work with a roofing company that uses shingles from a single dealer.
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Improper Underlayment
Every roof needs an underlayment. This is a water-resistant material that is laid directly onto your roof deck. Every roofing material requires an underlayment as an added layer of protection.
Asphalt-saturated felt is the most popular underlayment material used by roofers. Other types of underlayment materials include rubberized asphalt and synthetic underlayment. Water-resistant or waterproof properties are the determinants of the underlayment material to use.
Besides choosing the best underlayment, it is critical to make sure that proper underlayment is done. Improper underlayment can harm your roofing design. In extreme situations, poor underlayment can lead to roof leaking.
Working With Professionals to Avoid Roof Installation Errors
As highlighted earlier, most of the homeowners may turn to untrained roofers to save some money. This will only increase the severity of the errors and could be costly in the long term. To avoid roof installation errors, it is necessary to work with professional roofing contractors.
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