It can cost as much as $12,000 to replace your entire roof, depending on the size of your home. With costs that high, it’s no wonder so many people opt to repair their roofs when they see a lot of roof damage.
If you decided you can repair your roof rather than replace it, keep reading so you don’t become a victim to these six most common roof repair mistakes.
1. Using Shingles That Don’t Match
When you need to repairing roof shingles, you have to be sure that you use the same roofing material that you’re fixing. Just because the shingles are the same color does not mean that they’re the same type or perform the same. While it’s important to have matching shingles to keep your house looking great, it also affects how they perform.
It would be best if you used the same shingles you had before so you can be sure it’s going to perform at the same level the rest of the shingles do. If you skip this part, it could cause your repair to fail and cause you to end up having to replace the entire roof due to not matching the thickness and material quality.
Be sure you’re using the same brand shingles as you’re repairing and that they’re similar in color. You shouldn’t expect the colors to match exactly since you’re old shingles will have dulled, but they should at least be the same shade, so it’s not as noticeable.
2. Using Too Many Layers
Sometimes more does not equal good. One of those instances is when you’re fixing old roofs. There are some advantages to putting new shingles on top of old shingles, such as giving it an extra layer of strength, but this is usually the exception, not the rule.
If you use too many layers is creates a roof that’s too heavy and can cause structural issues. You may think you’ll end up saving time and money by placing the new shingles on top of the old ones, but it truly depends on the situation.
You can put new shingles on top of old ones only if the old ones aren’t overly damaged or if that’s the only layer you’re covering. If there are many layers already on the roof, or the shingles are damaged and rotting, it’s best to replace them completely rather than covering them up.
3. Not Fixing the Right Part
If you misdiagnose your roofing issue, you’re going to have a terrible time fixing your roof. It may be easy to figure out which part of the roof needs to be fixed, but understanding what’s causing the roof issue so you can fix it is a whole other ballpark. This is one of the easiest mistakes for someone to make when trying to repair your roof.
For example, a widespread problem for singles is that they wrap and curl in on themselves. It’s easy to see which shingles need to be replaced, but without figuring out what’s causing them to do that, you’re going to be back up on your roof replacing them again.
To avoid costly, tedious, and repetitive repairs, be sure to thoroughly investigate the source of the problem before you repair it.
4. Reusing Old Flashing
You always want to use high-quality materials when it comes to anything you do in life. That’s why it’s so important to replace your roof’s flashing instead of using the old stuff that’s there. If you don’t, you’re going to end up with flashing that’s distorted and becomes damaged much quicker than new flashing.
You may think it’s a good idea to recycle old material, but the truth is it’s just not worth it. It won’t take long for your new roof repair to leak, and you’ll be back up on your roof wishing you’d used new instead.
Do yourself a favor and only use new, high-quality products when fixing your roof.
5. Not Considering the Attic
Don’t forget about your attic while putting your new roof on! You shouldn’t just focus on what you see; you need to remember that there’s an attic below you you’re working on. If you don’t consider the structure of your attic underneath you, your roof will be the last of your worries.
By ignoring your attic, you can cause structural failures in your home and compromise its structural integrity. Make sure to inspect your attic before starting. You may also notice that improper ventilation, or water drippings in your attic that ultimately were causing you your roofing issues, to begin with.
6. Not Hiring a Professional
The biggest roof repair mistake made is not hiring a professional to do the job for you. When you hire a professional residential roofing company, you have peace of mind knowing that no mistakes will be made.
Unless you’ve installed roofs before or are working with someone who has the experience, it’s not a good idea to repair your roof yourself. Let the professionals do it right so you can rest easy knowing your home is safe.
Avoid These Roof Repair Mistakes Today
Now that you know the six most common roof repair mistakes to avoid, you’re ready to get your roof fixed. Remember always to find matching shingles, don’t use too many layers, and hire a professional if you don’t think you’re up for a challenge.
If you’re ready to have your roof repaired by professionals, contact us today! We’ve been helping people in Southern Wisconsin for years, and we can’t wait to help you too!
