When you stop to think, few things provide quality of life as much as the roofs over our heads. But, of course, most people don’t stop to think about this until they require some kind of repair for their roof.
This need isn’t uncommon, though, as demonstrated by the fact that the market for roofers is worth more than $52 billion every year in the United States!
Of course, one of the reasons that that number is as significant is because people make common residential roof repair mistakes. Unfortunately, the most common roof repair mistakes can lead to extra damage. At that point, people have to call on the experts to solve their problems.
So what exactly are the most common mistakes that people make when trying to repair their roofs? Read on to learn all about the most crucial roof repair mistakes to avoid!
1. Fixing Residential Roofs With the Wrong Shingles
Some people have a lot more experience repairing roofs than others. Some people get their experience through a long process of trial and error. One of the most common errors people make is assuming that all shingles work the same.
There is a lot of nuance in the world of roof shingles. Some people think that roof shingles that look the same will function the same. As a result, they assume that they can use those shingles to repair their rooftop.
However, there is more to the functionality of shingles than their color. Therefore, it is also essential to make sure that you are using shingles that have the exact specifications and are made of the same materials.
If possible, you should repair your rooftop with shingles from the very same delivery that provided the original shingles for your rooftop.
You should keep in mind that shingles will fade when exposed to sunlight for many years. As a result, it should not surprise you if your new shingles are actually significantly richer in color than your old shingles.
That does not matter. The important thing is that they are the same type of shingle. Ideally, they should also be from the same company.
As long as they have the same specifications and function the same way, they will be an excellent choice for repairing your roof.
2. Repairing Roof Damage With Too Many Layers
There are a few cases when people put extra layers of shingles over a spot on a roof. However, that is only a good idea in rare cases.
In most cases, adding extra layers of shingles to your roof will cause problems rather than solve problems. For one thing, additional layers on your roof will create a bump.
The top of that bump will be higher than the roof section that is theoretically higher up the incline of your rooftop. So that means that water will run up against that bump as it tries to flow down your rooftop.
That lack of evenness on your roof can direct water in the wrong way. As a result, you can develop leaks. In fact, what starts as a problem on only one spot could easily spread and cause damage across a larger section.
3. Focusing on the Wrong Part of the Roof
When people think about repairing roofs, they often think about shingles. That makes sense since shingles are the only visible part of the roof.
However, the anatomy of a roof is a lot more complicated than people realize. It is perfectly normal for the actual cause of a problem with your roof to be something other than the shingles. One of the most common problems with residential roof repair is that people fix the wrong thing.
That is why it is essential that whoever repairs your roof knows how to diagnose the many different problems that your roof may have.
4. Using Old Roof Repair Equipment
While we mentioned that you could use older shingles, it does not mean that reusing other old parts is a good idea. For example, when your flashing wears out, you should get new equipment to get the job done.
5. Ignoring the Interior of the Roof
The top of your roof is the most visible part of it. As a result, people focus too much on it. In some cases, the real problem is in your attic.
When you are diagnosing roof problems, make sure to examine the interior of your attic as well. You might be surprised to find damage.
6. Refusing to Hire a Roof Repair Service
Most people only know how to repair specific problems with their roofs. So when other issues crop up, the right thing to do is to call someone who can solve those other problems.
At the same time, some people are inclined to experiment with their roofs. After all, trial and error is a perfectly reasonable way to learn how to do something.
However, your rooftop is susceptible to all sorts of damage. Therefore, it is generally a bad idea to make it the subject of experiments.
Avoid the Most Common Residential Roof Repair Mistakes
We hope that some of the ideas in this brief article about the most common residential roof repair mistakes to avoid have been helpful for you. Many people are interested in solving their roof problems by themselves. This is a great strategy that you can pull off if you have the necessary skills and tools.
One of the most important skills to have is recognizing when a particular problem needs to be solved by a professional. When that happens, make sure you are working with a quality business. To learn more about how to avoid the most common roof repair mistakes and where you can find qualified experts to help you with your roof, feel free to reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!