Roof Replacement to Enhance Your Home’s Value: 8 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Roof replacement is an indispensable part of owning a house. Every landlord has to replace their roof at least once in their life. However, the problem with anything to do with roof repair and maintenance is that they are not an everyday thing, due to which there is a knowledge gap among people. As a result, most landlords make mistakes that can have serious repercussions in the future. In this article, we are discussing common roof replacement mistakes so you can avoid them. 

How Often Should You Replace Your Roof? 

Roofs do not last forever. Like everything else in your house, roofs also come with their timeline. The lifespan of a roof is fifteen to thirty years. However, there is no hard and fast rule regarding the lifespan of your roof; some roofs tend to last longer than others. Ultimately, this question depends on many factors, like the materials used in your roof, the quality of the roof replacement service you hired, etc. 

Another factor that could influence the lifespan of your roof is the frequency of maintenance you do on your roof. Frequent Maintenance= Extended lifetime. Apart from this, the climatic conditions of the place where you live and other natural factors can also significantly impact the lifespan of your roof. If you are still trying to decide if it’s time for roof replacement, you can always call a roof replacement service for inspection. 

How do you know it’s time for roof replacement? 

Some common signs that your roof is screaming for help are as follows: 

1. If your roof has been here long, it might be time for a replacement.
2. Consider replacing your roof if most of the shingles on your roof are missing or damaged.
3. You should replace your roof if there is major damage to the flashing of your roof.
4. Water stains in your ceilings are a major sign of damage to your house due to a bad roof.
5. The most obvious sign- your roof is leaky.  
6. Roof shrinking is the most alarming sign of a problematic roof. 
7. Moss or Algae growth on your shingles is another worrisome roof replacement sign. 
8. If there is a visible hole in your attic, it’s time for roof replacement.

The Roof Repair Vs. Roof Replacement Dilemma 

If you noticed the signs above for roof replacement, you might have panicked. But relax. You do not have to replace your roof whenever you encounter such issues. The answer to the roof repair vs. roof replacement question lies in the severity of the problem. It is possible to repair a few missing shingles on your roof, but if you encounter a lot of missing shingles and major damage to the shingles, then you should replace your roof. Similarly, you can easily repair the flashings on your top with minor repairs; however, if your flashing has sustained major damage, you should go for the roof replacement option. 

Some Common Mistakes to Avoid while doing Roof Replacement

Some common roof replacement mistakes you can avoid while doing roof replacement are as follows:

• Not Doing Enough Research Before Hiring a Roof Replacement Contractor

Most people don’t do proper research before hiring a roof replacement contractor. As a result, their roof issues are not identified and addressed properly. Hiring the wrong contractor will cause you more pain than any roof issue will ever do. Thus,  even if research is not your thing, only hire a roof replacement contractor with proper research and background check. 

• Trying to do the Roof Replacement all by Yourself

There are dedicated roof replacement professionals for a reason. If you could replace the roof yourself, these experts wouldn’t be needed. There is no way you can replace your roof yourself. In the meantime, you can cause further damage to your roof by trying to do it all yourself. Even the professionals only dare to replace the roof with help. Thus, never try turning your roof replacement into a DIY project and let professionals care for your roof. 

• Not Getting a Permit for Roof Replacement

Despite being one of the major things to consider, we rarely think about boring paperwork. Roof replacement activities come under home renovation laws, and you should ensure that all the concerned authorities do not have any problems with your project. If you fail to take the required permits, then very soon, your roof replacement project will turn into a lawsuit. Thus, you must take licenses from the concerned authorities before proceeding with your roof replacement. 

• Not Matching the Shingles while doing Roof Replacement

Sadly, people judge the book by its cover, and if the shingles of your roof are not perfect and uniform, people will not be willing to pay the current market rate for your house. As a result, unmatched shingles in your roof can bring down the value of your entire home. Most people are unaware of this human tendency and make the mistake of not matching the shingles. You do not want to degrade the value of your house by not comparing the shingles, do you? Thus, to keep the value of your property intact, you must check the shingles of your roof while doing roof replacement.

• Choosing the Cheapest Roof Replacement Contractor Available

Roof replacements are expensive, but that does not mean you should try to reduce costs by choosing the cheapest roof replacement contractor. If finding the most affordable contractor is your ultimate goal, then you are headed in the wrong direction. Therefore, you should always put the quality of the service offered by the roof replacement contractors first. Choosing the cheapest service is not the wisest option because a faulty roof has potential safety threats.

• Incorrectly Placing the Roof Nails While Doing Roof Replacement

Roof nails play an important role in securing the roof deck. Thus, using the wrong nails or improperly using them is the perfect recipe for potential roof problems. Roofs require a certain type of nails, and if there is any mistake while installing them, then it does nothing good to maintain the integrity of your roof. Even insurance companies refuse to pay claims for roofs with incorrect nails installation. Thus, while replacing the roof, always ensure that the nails used in your roof meet safety standards.

• Layering Two Roofs and Calling it a Roof Replacement

There is a common misconception among people that two roofs are better than one. As a result, they think that stacking one roof on top of another is one of the wisest decisions to make. However, this is different from the reality. Stacking roofs exerts unnecessary pressure on your roof, which can interfere with the structural integrity of your entire house. Thus, while replacing the roof, let your old roof go in peace and avoid stacking a new roof on top of an old one.

• Neglecting the Safety Standards During Roof Replacement Process

Roof replacement is a risky and demanding task. As a result, accidents are very common. You are headed for a bitter experience if you do not take the safety standards seriously. Thus, before starting with the roof replacement, you should already be aware of the potential safety hazards and prepare for ways to tackle them.

Conclusion

Apart from protecting you against external irritants, the roof is one of the most noticeable parts of your house. If your roof is mild and dry, you can give the wrong impression of yourself and your home. Thus, it is important to do frequent repairs and maintenance on your roof. The above points can enlighten you about common roof replacement mistakes and how to avoid them. 

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