Roofing mistakes that occurred when your current roof was being installed can become evident over time and cause leaks, wood rot, mold, and deterioration to your roofing system—leaving you with costly repairs, and decreasing the lifespan of your roof.
When it’s time for a roof replacement, go about your contractor selection process intentionally to ensure you have a trustworthy contractor who will pay attention to details, saving you the expensive hassles of roof leaks in the future due to installation mistakes.
Read on to learn the most common roofing mistakes, why they happen, and how to avoid them.
Common Roofing Installation Mistakes
1. Neglecting to remove old roof shingles
A roofing contractor should remove your old roofing shingles before installing a new roof. If new shingles are installed on top of old ones, moisture intrusion can result, setting the stage for major repairs down the road.
2. Visibly Misaligned Shingles
One of the easiest roofing installation mistakes to spot is misaligned shingles. Shingles should be on the same horizontal plane. When roof shingles are out of alignment, it can compromise your roof’s integrity and result in costly moisture intrusion.
3. Excessive Shingle Overhang
When roof shingles exceed the appropriate overhang at your eaves, and harsh weather arrives, severe roof damage can result. Additionally, if the shingle overhang is too short, water penetration can be the outcome, leading to major leaks.
4. Not Enough Length Between Shingles
When shingles have too little space between them, moisture can build up and set the stage for them to come off your roof when high winds pass through the area. Likewise, too much length between roof shingles opens your roof up to water damage.
5. Recycled Flashing
When a roofing contractor reuses your old flashing, your roof is being set up for water intrusion and expensive leaks. Even if your current flashing looks like it is still in good shape, a contractor should replace it when installing a new roof.
6. Improperly Installed Flashing
Flashing needs to be installed with attention to detail. If it is not aligned, isn’t fastened properly, or overlaps, your roof will be vulnerable to pricy moisture intrusion from rain, snow, and ice.
7. Inexact Nail Placement
For a roof to function as it should, nails need to be placed accurately in the roof shingles. If nails are not properly placed, it can contribute to structural issues. Nails should be located under the top layer of shingles rather than being exposed to the elements. Exposed nails eventually corrode and create holes in your roof shingles, opening the door to moisture and wind damage in the future.
8. Improper Nail Length
Specific roof shingle types have a corresponding nail length they require in order to keep shingles from loosening. When nails are the improper length, shingles shift, shortening your roof’s lifespan. When nails are the correct length for the shingle type they are securing, they will go clear into your roof decking and fasten your shingle in place.
9. Mismatched Roofing Shingles
An easy-to-spot mistake some roofing contractors make is mismatching roof shingles. This happens when a roofer purchases supplies from more than one place. You can avoid this problem by hiring a reliable roofing contractor with a good reputation.
Take time to read the Better Business Bureau’s ratings on your prospective roofer, check Angi, and read online reviews. Ask to be referred to a few clients you can talk with, and find out how satisfied they were.
10. Missing Starter Shingles
A starter section of shingles should be laid along your eaves. Without them, moisture will permeate to your roof deck through cutouts of your bottom shingles. This common mistake costs you in repairs over the years.
11. Improper Underlayment Installation
Your roof’s underlayment is the water-resistant or waterproof layer that covers your roof deck and is located under your roof shingles. It’s the last line of defense that protects your home from water intrusion. When it is installed properly, you’ll have peace of mind that your home is safeguarded from wood rot, mold, mildew, and deterioration. When underlayment is not installed correctly, your home’s protection is compromised, making it vulnerable to its enemy: water infiltration.
12. Inadequate Attic Ventilation
It’s easy to spot inadequate attic ventilation. Just look for moist insulation or mold in your attic.
When your attic isn’t ventilated properly, the lifespan of your roof will be shortened. Without proper air circulation, moisture can build up in your attic and lead to sizable problems such as:
- A steep increase in your monthly utilities
- Mold in your roof decking
- Damage to your attic insulation
- The need for major repairs
13. Faulty Gutter Installation
Your gutters have the important job of channeling water away from your home. When they aren’t installed correctly, they may look like they are sagging and loosening from your home’s structure. If they weren’t installed with enough slope, the water in them will back up. The result is either moisture penetration in your roof deck, or water pooling around the perimeter of your home.
Reliable Roof Replacement for Your Pennsylvania Home
When you invest in a new roof, you expect it will be installed with great attention to detail so it will protect your property and loved ones for years. That’s why it’s so important to hire a reputable roofing contractor with a track record of success.
At Porter Family Exteriors, we treat your home like it is our own. We go above and beyond in every aspect of your roof’s installation process. The minor details aren’t lost with us. We take extra caution around your landscaping, walkways, and decking, ensuring they are not damaged while we install your Philadelphia area home’s new roof. Learn more about our roofing services today!
