There’s nothing smart about DIY roofing. You may think that you can save on labor, but it would only become financially beneficial if you flawlessly complete the work. Unless you’re a licensed roofer yourself with a complete set of tools and a trusted source of top-quality materials, you’re bound to make mistakes at some point.
Masters Roofing explains the blunders you might make if you don’t leave the roofing job to an experienced general contractor:
Overlaying Shingles Over Shingles
Installing a layer of roofing material over another isn’t always bad; in fact, some areas even allow it. However, an overlay project requires a lot of consideration. In most cases, stripping the old shingles away is advisable to assess the health of the underlying components. Many do-it-yourselfers apply new materials on top of the old ones for convenience, without realizing the implications of doing so. It could be illegal in your area, the underlying parts may have some damage, or the structure of your home may not be strong enough to carry the extra weight. There are too many risks.
Leaving the Old Flashing Installed
Reusing old flashings is never a good idea. They might still look good, but they’re already past their prime and likely to deteriorate faster than you think. They’re going to age more quickly than the new roofing materials, making them less reliable in preventing leakage. Without the trained eye of an experienced roof repair specialist, it’s difficult to tell when flashing could fail.
Missing Ventilation Issues
Most property owners don’t understand the vital link between ventilation and roof health. A properly ventilated attic keeps the underside of your roof from getting baked, extending the life of its surface materials. The problem is, it’s hard to nail the right amount of air you should let in and number of exhaust vents to install.
Any ventilation imbalance can affect your roof’s performance both in summer and winter. Other than causing shingles to deform more quickly, poor attic ventilation allows ice damming to occur, which can bring in a host of other problems.
Obtaining Proper Permits
Building permits are not only required in roof replacement projects; they’re also necessary in most repairs. If you don’t get the green light from the government when it’s necessary, you might face hefty fines and be forced to redo or remove everything. But even if you do apply but fail to bring your home up to code, you can still suffer from similar consequences. Logic tells you to hire a credentialed roofer from the start to avoid wasting your time, money and energy.
Not leaving your residential or commercial roofing needs to trusted professionals like Masters Roofing is a rookie mistake. We’re licensed, insured and certified by premier brands, including GAF. Call us now at (844) 400-4774 to get your project started and receive a free estimate in Cordova, TN, or any nearby communities.