Common Roofing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

You won't notice a good roof that does its job protecting your home – but you'll notice a  bad roof right away. Homeowners/property owners who are not familiar with the roofing industry may not think of roofing as particularly complicated. This is far from correct, and the fact is that mistakes made during roofing installation or repairs can damage your property and cost you even more in the long run. Check out these common roofing mistakes so you know what to discuss with your roofing company when the time comes for your next repair.   


Wrong Material

A roof with the perfect design and dimensions for your property but the wrong material will cause problems. Asphalt is one of the most common roofing materials due to its cost-effectiveness. Other common materials for your roof are slate, wood, clay, concrete, metal, and more. To determine which material is right for your roof, you should consider the weather in your area, the construction of your house, and the time and money you have available in your budget.



Mismatched Shingles

Building off of roofing materials, all of the shingles your roofer uses must match. Some roofers may order from various suppliers, and shingles could be slightly different in size. This is a mistake that will likely not be visible from farther away. Yet even beyond the aesthetics alone, this can shorten the life of your roof.

Improper Shingle Overhang

The portions of your roof that hangs over the sides of the building are called the eaves. The eaves protect the siding of the building and incorrect measurements for how overhang can jeopardize your property. In most cases, the shingle overhang on the eaves should be about 6 to 10mm. More than 10mm can result in shingles blowing off during high winds, and less than 6mm can cause water damage to the roof.


Misuse of Roofing Nails

Never underestimate the power of a nail. An experienced roofing team should have no issues choosing the right roofing nails for the job. Less experienced roofers can make the mistake of using the wrong length nail, nails with heads that are too small or putting the nails in the wrong places throughout the roof. Roofing nails should be the proper length for the type of shingle, placed appropriately throughout the roof (NOT driven into knotholes or gaps), and enough nails should be used. 


Missing Starter Shingles

Less experienced roofing contractors sometimes miss the row of starter shingles that must be laid on the eaves. This section is called starter shingles. When starter shingles are missing, water can seep through to the roof deck and cause damage. 


Improper Slope

Just like the mathematical slope you learned about in algebra class, roof slope is measured by rise/run in inches. A building's roof slope can be a matter of design or preference. Although you may see homes or properties with flat roofs, most residential homes opt for a slope of 2:12 or greater so that precipitation can run off the roof properly. On the other hand, roofs with 12:12 slopes can be difficult to work on and require a roofing team to walk on the roof less often. 


Gutter Sag

Many homeowners dread the chore of cleaning out their gutters throughout the seasons. Even though cleaning them can be tedious, gutters are invaluable to a residential home. If a roofing team installs too low, the gutters can back up, and water damages your property. An experienced roofing team will avoid this gutter sage and be able to recommend the best type of gutters for the building.

Not Planning for the Elements

A theme between these roofing mistakes is how an improper roof will not protect the building from the elements. As you plan your roof installation or repair, you should know which elements to watch out for based on the area. Consider rain, snow, ice, hail, high winds, and your area's temperature fluctuations. 


Work with CD Strong

When it comes to your roofing project, you need a trustworthy, professional team. When you work with our CD Strong team, we look out for you to ensure you get a quality roofing job that will last for years. We can also work with your insurance company to make the process as smooth as possible. Contact us today!

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