Even the sturdiest of roofs eventually wear down in the face of constant exposure to harsh weather. Time will come that, even with constant upkeep and repairs, your roof won’t function as well as it once did, and you’ll be left with no other option but to have your roof replaced.

At first glance, roof replacement seems like a straightforward task: take the old roof down and install a new one. However, a lot of things can go wrong with a roof replacement, so it’s best you have some working knowledge of what to look out for when undertaking a roofing project.

CHOOSING THE WRONG MATERIAL

Each roofing material has its own strengths and weaknesses. This means you have to choose a material that suits the climate in your locale best. Picking the wrong material can greatly reduce your roof’s expected lifespan, which could mean yet another roof replacement down the road – much sooner than expected.

CHOOSING THE WRONG STYLE

Having your roof replaced is also the perfect opportunity to give your home a new look. However, you have to make sure that the particular type of roof your do choose suits your home’s architectual style, your climaate and seasons, as well as your taste. For example, changing from a gable to a flat roof is possible, but can pose problems later, especially in areas where a flat roof can easily accumulate snow.

PART 1 - WHY DO ROOF REPLACEMENTS GO WRONG?

RUSHING THE PROJECT

Like in many things, roof replacement takes time. Unfortunately, some homeowners want their new roofs installed as fast as possible, resulting in unrealistic deadlines. The entire process is rushed, making it more likely for mistakes to occur during installation and resulting in a poorly-built roof.

CHOOSING THE WRONG PEOPLE

You can buy the best materials, but that won’t help much if the people installing it aren’t skilled enough for the job. Hiring roof experts based on who offers the cheapest price is one of the easiest ways to get a poor roof installation. Instead, look for reputable contractors that offer their services at reasonable rates.

You know the mistakes, now learn to avoid them! Find out how in the second part of this blog series about roof replacement done the right way!

PART 1 - WHY DO ROOF REPLACEMENTS GO WRONG?

Homeowners tend to put all of the blame on the roofers whenever something does go wrong with the roof replacement, but those mistakes likely wouldn’t have happened if they made the right choices in the first place. To help you avoid the same mistakes, here’s a quick list of things that you should keep in mind before, during, and after roof replacement.

1. Make sure you actually need the roof replacement in the first place

Some people just want a new roof, but don’t care enough to check if they actually need their roof replaced in the first place. Consult a roof expert before deciding to replace your roof; this will help you avoid spending on an unnecessary replacement OR give you enough time to prepare in case a new roof is actually needed.

2. Do your research

While roof experts can provide you with a few good recommendations, it’s still best that you make an effort to research on your own about different roofing materials. Find online fora and articles about various roofing options to help determine what will work according to your roofing needs.

PART 2 - AVOIDING MISTAKES IN ROOF REPLACEMENT

3. Plan your preferences

Remember that choosing a specific type of roof can have a huge impact on your home. Visualizing your home with different roof styles can help you come up with a choice that you really like. This way, you don’t end up disappointed by how the roof replacement turns out.

4. Prepare to be there

You may have professionals working on your roof, but being there while the replacement project is taking place is still important. You get to supervise the people you hired and ask them relevant questions about your new roof so it’s easier to spot problems once it is in place. While it’s not always possible to be there, it’s still recommended to be on-site as much as possible.

Some effort on your part is nothing compared to the hassles of a shoddy roof replacement!

Want more tips and recommendations on getting a new roof? Check out part 3 as we wrap up this blog series about roof replacement done right.

PART 2 - AVOIDING MISTAKES IN ROOF REPLACEMENT

In the previous sections, we talked about how important it is to research your options before deciding to start your roof replacement project. To help you get started on your research, here are a few handy tips and recommendations to make sure your roof replacement goes right!

MATERIALS

Cost efficiency over affordability - When choosing roof material, keep in mind that you usually get what you pay for. Cheaper roof materials don’t automatically mean poor quality, but expect more expensive alternatives to offer better performance for your dollar, as they are less likely to break down as quickly.

Moisture resistance - Because water is the number one cause of roof problems, it’s safer to pick a roofing option that offers better resistance to moisture damage. For example, galvanized metal panels are better than wood shakes and shingles, and asphalt shingles are totally immune to water damage (although metal is stronger).

Brand - Although all roofing options have to meet certain standards according to your local government’s rules and regulations, it’s better to pick products with more reputable brand names. Reputable brands usually have certifications or recommendations from other third-party authorities on roofing.

PART 3 - OTHER TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ROOF

ROOFING EXPERTS

Customer Feedback - The easiest way to check if roofing professionals are worth hiring is by reviewing customer feedback. Plenty of positive feedback from previous clients mean the roofers have established themselves as good roofers who are worth hiring. Avoid hiring roofers with mixed or overwhelmingly negative feedback, even if they offer lower prices to attract more clients.

License and certifications - Checking to make sure your roofers have the right licenses and certifications not only assures you that they are qualified to work on your roof, but also gives you an idea of how well-trained they are. Of course, having a roofer’s license is the bare minimum; you can also look for brand-specific certifications indicating they are trained specifically to install particular brands of roofing, including the one you’ve chosen.

Having trouble figuring out where to start? If you need more help with your research, don’t hesitate to get in touch with reputable roofers in your area for answers to your queries. Good luck with your roof replacement project!

PART 3 - OTHER TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ROOF

Patriot Roofing

1623 Stone Drive NW Gig Harbor, Washington 98335

253-265-6868

patriotroofing.biz