Your roof is an important investment that keeps you and your family safe and enhances your home value and curb appeal. Whether installing a new roof or renovating your old one, you always want the best results. A slight mistake that may seem simple and insignificant could become costly. As a homeowner, you should be vigilant enough to avoid falling into such traps. Below, we have highlighted some major roofing mistakes you should avoid.
1. Going DIY When You Shouldn’t
Running a DIY project is always interesting until your little know-how lands you in trouble. Most people underestimate the complexity of tearing off old shingles or fixing a leaking roof until they get stuck along the way. A typical roofing project requires not only skills and experience but also the right tools and specialized equipment.
When removing a dilapidated or old roof, for instance, most homeowners are quick to grab an extension ladder, a hammer, and a nail puller, ready to jump into action. Contrary to their expectations, the work at hand is often more sophisticated. Some will later realize they need adjustable roof jacks, broom magnets, safety gears, and other expensive equipment they don’t have a budget for.
Before going DIY, ensure you understand the scope of the roofing task that lies ahead. If your roof has suffered physical damage, has persistent leaks, or requires a lot of repair work, it’s best to always deal with a roofing professional. Roofing repairs often fall into the category of dangerous home repairs that require expert intervention.
2. Taking Shortcuts
More often, homeowners take shortcuts to minimize roof installation cost. Always prioritize durability and appearance over cost, whether you are building a new home or revamping your existing one. While your budget is an important determining factor, you should strike a delicate balance between quality and affordability.
Another common mistake resulting from taking shortcuts is doing a roof repair because it’s cheap when you should do a roof replacement instead. Typically, you want to schedule a professional roof inspection service to know the level of damage and the appropriate action you should take.
Every time you are about to make some compromise, ask yourself what your motivation really is. If you are always leaning towards price, you are probably making bad decisions that could be costly in the long run. If you are new to roof installation and repairs, check out mars-roofing.com to explore some roofing basics and what to prioritize during the roof installation exercise.
3. Neglecting the Manufacturer’s Guidelines
Going DIY can save you time and money if you are competent with your roofing skills and have the tools and experience needed to fix the roofing issue at hand. However, most DIY enthusiasts consider themselves experts, often neglecting the roofing best practices and manufacturer’s guidelines. Making these mistakes can lead to improper installation, increased chances of damage, and even injuries.
Failing to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when installing a new roof could mean losing the warranty. Manufacturers are often against DIY installation and will require that a licensed contractor install the roof. You must also ensure that the technical installation guidelines and procedures are followed carefully.
4. Failing to Secure a Permit
Whether it’s time to build a new home or repair or replace the entire roof, you will always need a permit. Major projects such as home renovations require a permit from a local government office, mainly for safety purposes. When working with a roofing company, the contractor is the one to apply for and secure a roofing permit. Your local contractor is also aware of the local laws and regulations and will speed up the permit application process.
A roofing permit ensures that the construction or renovation process follows the state and local code standards. This ensures compliance and durability of the roof and the whole structure. Getting a permit also means the roofing inspector will visit your premises once the roofing work is complete to verify that the new roof meets all the local building codes.
Failing to secure a roofing permit could result in fines and penalties. You could also void the insurance claims and home warranty, meaning they become non-transferable to the new buyer. If you want to sell the property, you’ll have a hard time attracting serious buyers.
That said, not every area has rules requiring roofing permits for every project. Some require permits only for roof replacements and installation, but not on small roof repair projects. Even still, it’s advisable to demand a roofing permit whenever you hire a contractor.
5. Picking the Wrong Contractor
Another common mistake homeowners make is choosing a roofing contractor before doing their research. Ideally, most roofing contractors will offer roof inspection and after-repair or installation services as a separate package, meaning you will incur a bit more to complete a roofing project. However, this shouldn’t be a reason to go for substandard roofing services from unlicensed and uninsured contractors.
The risks of working with a poor contractor far outweigh the short-term benefits. For instance, the installation or repair work may not be up to standards, or they could damage your expensive roofing material. Since they are not licensed or insured, you’ll void the manufacturer’s warranty, and there’s no insurance company to chip in. This can be costly in the long run, and you’ll be responsible for the damages.
When choosing a roofing contractor, focus on skills, expertise, customer experience, and reputation. Be sure to browse several customer reviews from reputable third-party sites before making up your mind. Paying a little more to work with a reputed contractor is always worth it. Not only will you benefit from professional roofing services, but you’ll also have peace of mind knowing that an expert is working on your roof.
Endnote
Installing, replacing, or repairing your roof can be expensive, but you also don’t want to live without a roof or do some shady repair job to save a little extra cash. The above five roofing mistakes are common, and you should watch out for them every time you have a roofing project. You can avoid the above mistakes by working with an expert roofing company, from roof installation and maintenance to inspection and repairs, if any.
