3 Roof Repair Mistakes
How to avoid these disastrous DIY missteps
Many well intentioned DIY jobs end in satisfying and cost-saving results, but then there are the others. Don’t be the DIYer who ends up paying for costly repairs later down the road due to shoddy DIY roofing work. It may seem like a great idea at first, but if you’re not experienced enough or haven’t done enough research beforehand, you could be using umbrellas inside your home.
This article explores three common DIY mistakes when repairing or replacing your own roof.
First Impressions Are Sometimes Wrong
Many people think when they see a leak, it comes from the above surface. However, water can seep in from other areas such as joists and pipes. You’ll only see the stain where the water pooled in the home, but that may not indicate the source of the water flow. An experienced roofing contractor can detect and diagnose the roofing leak no matter how well hidden it may be. The reason an experienced roofing contractor is needed for this type of hidden leak is that you don’t want to open up your whole ceiling or wall in search of a leak and then pay for expensive drywall repair later on after having not detected the source. An experienced roofer can find the leak, saving you expensive repairs in the process. This is often what happens when people hire an under-qualified roofer who opens up their walls and thinks he’s found the leak, only later to be surprised that the leak is still there. The roofer didn’t find the source, and now you’re paying for a return trip and more expensive work. TruBlue Roofing and Remodeling does it right the first time. We never have to return to a job for leaks because our experienced roofing team detects the source. We have an eye for these things!
Now, some DIYers will think that slapping a shingle across a leak will stop it. Believe it or not, people do this all the time. Of course, a leak can begin as a broken shingle, but once you’ve started noticing water stains inside your home, you can bet that there’s more damage than that broken shingle. And it may not be just a broken shingle that’s your problem. The root cause could be poorly installed decking and underlayment. Remember, if the framing or decking have been exposed to moisture for too long, you may have rot and mold. Insulation in the attic can also become waterlogged. This, too, can breed mold and bacteria.
Cutting Corners Will Cost You
DIYers and inexperienced roofers often make this mistake. They cut corners by installing shingles over an old layer, sometimes over two layers of shingles. Laying down a second layer of shingles over an old one can save you money, but make sure that your decking and framework will be able to support the weight of the second layer.
Not Matching Your Shingles
Matching shingles is harder than you think. When you repair your roof, you don’t want to have mismatched shingles, making your roof look like a patchwork quilt for all the neighborhood to see and discuss at the next BBQ. If you plan to resell your home, that will definitely stand out as a potential deal breaker for a sale.
Years of weathering discolors shingles, too, so when you patch a hole with brand new shingles it will stand out. An experienced roofing company like TruBlue Roofing and Remodeling can find an exact match for your shingles, giving you a seamless finish.
See our article “How to Choose the Best Shingles for Your Roof”
Whichever shingle type you choose, remember you’ll need flashing and other roofing material and supplies. An experienced roofing company like TruBlue Roofing and Remodeling can help you choose the right shingles and roofing materials that will last for many years to come. Give us a call today at (919) 589-7290 to schedule a free no-obligation roof inspection and estimate.
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