Roofing is one of the most important aspects to take care of on a house.
However, some mistakes are made routinely by homeowners that could be avoided with some research. Here are the most common roofing mistakes you need to avoid before they become costly or more serious problems.
Overlooking Signs for Repair
One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners commit is overlooking signs for roof repair. The average life cycle of a home’s roof varies depending on how well it has been maintained and also its geographical location. However, most roofs typically last between 15 to 30 years before requiring repairs or even replacement. If you’re in California, you should call a CA roofing company if you see any common issues. Common issues include a shingle being lifted by strong wind or possible hail damage. If your roof is approaching the end of its life cycle, you will see numerous signs warning about it.
You may begin to notice peeling or curling shingles, water damage in the gutters, and even visible cracks. If these issues do not seem serious enough yet, you can also check for loose screws around your roof’s skylights which could be an indication that they need replacing too. Ignoring these warnings could lead to more costly problems later on so be sure to contact a professional if any suspicious signs are found.
Hanging Stored Items Too Close to the Edge
A big mistake that homeowners make is keeping large objects right up against their roofs’ edges without giving them proper support or coverage first. When it comes to roofing, you want to avoid causing any additional pressure that could lead to leaks. If your homeowner’s insurance is high enough, it would be best to keep these items in storage or at least several feet away from the edges or corners of your roof. Anything hanging too close to the edge should have support weights added underneath so they hang down evenly. Without this form of support, many people think nothing can happen but heavy items will cause more weight on the area where it hangs over even if it’s just a few inches.
Off-Grade Replacing Shingles
One of the most frustrating issues for roofers is poorly placed shingles which are not compliant with building code requirements for installation height and pitch. One common mistake that homeowners make is replacing shingles that are off-grade. If your home’s roof has been in use for many years, you will find quite a few off-grade shingles installed at one point or another after all of the older ones have been removed.
The only way to deal with this is to replace the entire roof and not just the off-grades individually otherwise you’ll be back where you started. It’s also important to note that missing these problems could mean that your roof needs repairs faster than expected so it would be better to hire professional help early on rather than finding out too late.
Skipping Inspection Periods
One other mistake homeowners make is forgetting about their roofs when it comes time for inspection periods required by insurance companies or local building ordinances. If you hire a contractor, they will usually send out regular inspection reminders but it’s up to you to follow through with them. It can be tedious and not very fun to see what’s happening on your roof after every storm but the inspections are necessary for saving money in the future. Even if nothing has happened yet, it is better safe than sorry when it comes to getting rid of any major problems before they become more serious and costly especially if your homeowner’s insurance isn’t high enough.
Using Poor Materials
One other problem that may require a contractor’s assistance is choosing poor materials for your roof. While shingle quality ranges from low-grade to high-grade, different locations and conditions call for certain choices that work best. It would be highly advisable to choose the higher grade and stronger materials that are resistant to strong winds and intense weather changes. These roofs can also last longer because they’re made with added protection which saves you money in the long term as well as headache watching over them more frequently.
The best way to avoid roofing mistakes is by taking the time to research how roofs work and what common signs indicate possible leaks. For most people, doing this simple task could mean the difference between avoiding a potentially bad situation and watching as more problems slowly develop. Contact a roofing expert before you make mistakes that cost you more money.
