Four Roofing Shortcuts That Will Cost You Money In The Longrun
Posted on: 3 September 2015
Planning on repairing or patching your roof? While shortcuts can be tempting, they should mostly be avoided if you want a roof that lasts. Here are four common roofing shortcuts and the reasons you need to avoid them:
1. Using Rolled Roofing
Rolled roofing is basically a roll of shingle-like material that you roll out onto your roof and staple down. Although it works for small patches or for buildings like sheds where you are not that concerned about roofing quality, it is not an ideal choice for a home.
Rolled roofing lasts no longer than ten years, meaning you will have to redo that job rather soon. Also, it doesn't work at all on roofs with a pitch over 9.46° (2-in-12). Contact a professional roofing specialist to discuss other roofing options that will suit your needs and your budget.
2. Laying New Shingles Over Old Shingles
Laying new shingles over old ones saves time, but it can be hard for new shingles to properly adhere to old ones. As a result, your new roof will likely be loosening and curling long before it should. Preferably, you should remove the old shingles, lay a new roll of roofing felt and then put on the new ones.
Additionally, any more than two layers of roofing material can get too heavy for most roofing joists to hold up.
3. Skipping the Starter Shingles
Also called perimeter shingles because they line the perimeter of the roof, starter shingles adhere to the bottom of the eaves, and they prevent damage from the wind. Without a row of starter shingles, wind can easily penetrate under the first row of shingles and begin to rip them off the roof. This can have a domino effect over the entire roof.
If you don't use a row of starter shingles, your roof is less protected and more prone to damage as a result.
4. Using staples
Using a staple gun to fasten done your shingles is much faster than using a hammer and nails, but in the long run, you will pay for this short cut. Staples are too short to hold the roofing material in place, and as a result, the shingles will eventually start to break free from the roof. To ensure everything stays in place, you need to use long roofing nails.
Whether you are doing the roof yourself or hiring a roofing specialist, these are all shortcuts you want to avoid. They may save you time or money immediately, but ultimately, these shortcuts will cost you in the long run.
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