Common Residential Roofing Replacement Problems

The first thing you do when you realize that you need a new roof is to call a specialist to do the job. You can visit this site to help you fix your roofing problems.. A roof replacement is usually a simple, straightforward job, but as with any job, things can go wrong. You should be wary of any potential problems that can happen before starting the project so that you can avoid them.

These mistakes are more likely to be made by DIY-ers than by professionals. So, if you plan to do any of the replacement work yourself, these are the potential pitfalls you should watch out for. Better yet, hire a highly experienced company like Jackson Contracting Inc. to make sure that your roof replacement gets off on the right foot and proceeds smoothly right until the job is done.

No Starter Strips/Shingles

Starter strips are adhesive strips that are used to attach the shingles to the roof; without them, there is a good chance that the shingles can get blown off the roof just a few months after they have been installed. Starter shingles are a set of shingles installed along the eaves that prevent water from getting into the sheathing underneath the cutouts for the shingles. Both starter strips and shingles are necessary to keep the shingles intact in all manner of weather conditions.

Misaligned Shingles

These are one of the clearest and most obvious signs of poor workmanship. It is easy to see when the shingles are not set uniformly on either the horizontal or vertical plane. Not only does this look sloppy and unappealing, but it can also create problems in adverse weather conditions. The reason is that the wind can easily slip underneath a misaligned edge and lift the shingle clear off the roof.

Poor Use of Nails

On roofs with a shallow pitch, at least four nails should be used to attach each shingle to the roof; for more steeply pitched roofs, at least six should be used. If fewer nails are used in either case, then there is a good chance that the shingle will eventually slip off the roof.

There is an even better chance that the shingle will get blown off when even a slightly strong wind blows. The use of the less than necessary number of nails is usually the result of either a rush job or the cutting of corners. Nails that were inserted crookedly, that were underdriven, or were overdriven can also cause problems.

Layering Materials in the Wrong Order

The shingles are the most visible part of a new roof but they are not the only element. Before the shingles are installed, other materials need to be installed first; they are the drip edge, the ice and water guard, underlayment, and flashing, all in that order, followed by the shingles.

If any of the layers are positioned in the wrong order, then that could cause problems in the future. Those problems could be difficult to fix because all the layers would have to be reapplied in the correct order.

Poor Use of Valley Flashing

The valleys are the parts of the roof that handle the most amount of runoff water when it rains, and as a result, they are most susceptible to leaks. Installing metal flashing in the roof valleys can prevent leaks from occurring, but only if the proper amount of sealant is used to secure it. If not, then leaks might happen anyway.

Another potential problem is if the flashing is layered on top of the shingles instead of beneath them. If valley flashing is placed on top, then it might cause the rainwater to run in places it was not meant to, which can end up causing damage to the shingles.

Incorrect Shingle Overhang/Exposure

Shingle overhang is how far the shingles extend from the edge of the roofline. Too far and they are vulnerable to wind gusts that can blow them away. Too short and water can seep past them into the roof. The shingle overhang should be between an inch and an inch and a half.

Shingle exposure is the amount of space between each overlapping shingle. It is generally recommended that the exposure be about five inches. If it is any shorter, then the shingles can get blown off in high winds or accumulate moisture in the rain.

Hire Professionals and Avoid All the Common Mistakes

These mistakes can end up leaving your roof vulnerable to the elements and unsafe for the inhabitants of the home. That is the exact opposite of what you want when you replace your roof. A professional roofing company will know to avoid all of those mistakes and give you a new roof that will leave you and your family feeling safe and secure.