Roofing renovation and installations can be a headache especially when they don’t go as planned. To make sure that things go as planned make sure these roofing mistakes don’t happen to you. There are a few areas in your home that need to stand the true test of time and harsh elements, and your roof is one of them. Roof replacement and repair jobs either patch the problem for a short period of time or don’t fix the problem at all.

The following major roofing mistakes show a lack of proper roofing knowledge and if it’s a contractor that has made these mistakes then you should be asking some questions.

No Leaking Barriers

This might seem like the most common, some roofers will either forget or not care enough to install a leak barrier before installing the shingles.

This could cause huge problems with skylights as a leak will develop over a period of time.

Improper Installation In Roof Valleys

A lot of roofers and contractors have their own way of doing things, but there is still a standard that needs to be followed. Nails that have been installed in the roof’s valleys are not the correct process.

As time passes the hole the nail created can end up allowing water direct access to the underside of the roof and straight into your attic.

In most cases, unless you did it yourself most roofers will not make this mistake, although some of them tend to make use of improper shingling methods.

This can allow water to collect in the valley leading to major problems very quickly.

Neglecting Attic Ventilation

Attic ventilation goes a long way in reducing the temperature in the attic and on your roof deck.

Shingles can start to show signs of damage from extremely high temperatures making them ineffective.

An attic vent can be put in for a few hundred dollars and can save you a lot of money on your electric bills in the summer.

Cricket Behind The Chimney

The water behind the chimney needs to be diverted so that you don’t develop a leak; this is where a cricket comes in.

Cricket is used to help divert the water away from the chimney and keep it flowing down the gutters.

These are simple to install and are almost mandatory to prevent leakage problems for years so an incorrectly installed cricket can cause a lot of problems later on.

Incorrect Shingle Use

The area where your roof experiences the most high-speed winds are the hips and ridges, it is important that special shingles are used that will ensure the shingle is kept in place during a storm and that water consistently flows off both sides.

Special shingles are made that are more durable and thicker and need to be installed as opposed to regular roof shingles.

So make sure no shortcuts are being made by the use of regular shingles to save cost.

Bad Starter Course

The starter course at the edge of the roof needs to be properly installed in order for it to work effectively.

The shingles should be staggered so that water does not seep between them.

Putting Shingles on Shallow Sloping Roofs

If your roof is shallow and sloping, pay great attention here. A shingled roof is designed to help channel water away from the underlying structure. However, this doesn’t make it waterproof!

If the angle of the roof is too shallow, the water will not be able to flow fast enough to prevent seepage.

Not Installing a Drip Edge

An incorrectly installed drip edge is extremely important, it prevents water from getting into areas where it can cause severe rot or discolor siding.

A properly installed drip edge can keep a roof functioning longer; it helps protect other areas of your home.

Improper Flashing Installation

This is a very common mistake; incorrectly installed flashing can cause horrible leaks.

A correct way to install flashing is to make sure there is a substratum of something to seal the gap underneath, followed by step flashing on top, which is then nailed to the deck of the roof.

Nailing Shingles the Wrong Way

Take great when laying down nails and not go too quickly or get them at an angle, it is vitally important that the nails are being driven perpendicular to the shingles so that the fiberglass matting between the asphalt layers of the shingle does not suffer from a tear or become compromised.

An over-pressurized nail gun can do the same thing by driving the nail at an angle make sure to double check the pressurization ensuring no nails will be driven in forcefully.