Roof Repair Mistakes You Must Avoid
Every homeowner dreads of having to deal with costly, troublesome roof repairs. And we understand why! There are so many things involved in having to deal with roof system damage, from finding a reputable roofer to preparing for the costs. Unfortunately, roof repair isn’t something you can delay until deemed convenient for you.
If you delay addressing roof issues, the damage will only worsen until it costs even more time, money, and hassle. So, for those who are planning to have their roofs inspected and repaired soon, you must prepare appropriately. Here are a few things you must avoid doing for a smooth repair process and a roof that’s good to perform for another few years or decades.
Roof Repair Mistakes You Must Avoid
Whether your roof just sustained significant damage from a storm, or you found minor issues, the next step will always be preparing for the repairs. When doing so, make sure to avoid committing these mistakes:
You Try the DIY Route
What can go wrong if you choose to repair the roof yourself? You get to save a few hundred bucks from the labor, right? All you need to do is to purchase the materials, use the tools you have, and you can get right to repairing your roof after watching a video tutorial on it.
Wrong. Sure, you can take pride in being a handyman as you repair some things inside the house, but you should never go the DIY route when it comes to roof repairs. The only exception we’ll make here is if you already have a strong background in roofs or work as a roofer!
Rather than fixing the roof yourself, it’s crucial to have a professional inspect and repair it for you. You are paying for their labor, knowledge, and years of training and experience in the field. This means you are paying for the assurance the repairs are carried out by experts with all issues addressed appropriately. This leads to a functional roof that can last longer.
This is compared to if you were to take the DIY route, which can ultimately end up incurring more damage if you didn’t repair it correctly or did more harm than good. The worst-case scenario is if you get into an accident because you don’t know how to carefully walk around your roof!
Save your time and energy by hiring a skilled and licensed professional so you can focus on other things to do at home.
You Repair a Roof That Requires Replacement
We all want to get as much use in our roofs as possible. After all, new roofs don’t come cheap, and you spent oodles on your current one!
However, that doesn’t mean you should continue repairing a worn-out roof that clearly requires replacement. Unfortunately, the need for roof replacements is inevitable. It can come due to a nasty storm, significant accidents and damages, or because the roof is simply nearing the end of its lifespan.
Either way, you’ll see that repairing your roof when it requires replacement will end up being costly in the long run. You’ll continue experiencing the consequences of roof damage and calling your roofer to have it inspected and repaired more frequently than usual. All those costs add up, and it’ll be wiser and cost-effective to replace it.
As such, it’s important to find a skilled roofer who knows when your roof’s time is up, and who can replace your roof with the one you want for your house.
You Use Low-Quality Materials
When using low-quality roofing materials for roof repairs, you shouldn’t be surprised if you need to do the similar repairs in the very near future.
Just like building your house or purchasing any products, using substandard materials won’t get you anywhere. In fact, you might end up paying more than what you budgeted for because of the extra repairs you’ll need to make. This is because low-quality materials won’t be able to stand up to the wear and tear your roof gets daily, especially with the weather conditions!
Ensure that a newly-repaired roof will withstand the test of time by having your roofer use high-quality materials for the repairs.
You Reuse Old or Damaged Flashing
We understand that it’s important to recycle for the environment, but when it comes to your roof, you must take caution. Never reuse worn-out or outdated flashings and roofing materials! While it may sound environmentally friendly and cost-efficient, it will actually do more harm than good for you in the long run.
When repairing your roof, you must replace the flashings rather than make do with your existing ones. If not, you’ll likely end up with damaged or dysfunctional flashings that won’t prevent roof damage caused by weather. The same goes for reusing old roofing materials, which can end up being vulnerable to damage, leading to even more costly repairs.
You Don’t Ask for a Warranty
It isn’t enough for your roofer to have roofing insurance. They also need to offer warranty for the work they do.
A roofer’s insurance is a financial safety net one can pursue to offset any costs incurred by mistakes made by the contractor throughout the project. But this is different from the warranty, which is a legal agreement made by the roofer to formally fix mistakes without any extra costs.
When you need to repair your roof, it’s important to hire a company offering a warranty for their services. Without one, you might risk yourself and the house to shoddy repairs and extra costs of hiring a new roofer to fix the damage.
Wrapping It Up
We hope that this article on roof repair mistakes to avoid helped you out. Now that you how more of preparing yourself for roof repairs, the next step is finding a reputable roofer to have your home inspected.
Contact us now to learn more about our services and to avail a free inspection! We cover areas around Arizona, including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and more.