The thought of roof replacement may not be very exciting, but it is one of those things that most homeowners have to deal with at one time or another. Here are three things to watch out for when that time comes for you.
Don’t Put New Materials on Damaged Decking
“Decking” is the surface that attaches the structural part of your home to the insulation, weatherproofing materials, and shingles. It is important that if you reshingle your home, you put new shingles on decking that isn’t rotting or damaged – if you do, you will only have more problems in the future.
Don’t Put New Shingles on Top of Old Shingles
It may be cheaper to put new shingles on old shingles, but this will actually make the new shingles last for a shorter amount of time. In addition, doing this traps the heat and moisture under the lower, old layer of shingles. It may even void any warranty you have on roofing materials. When it comes to roof replacement, it is better to use only new materials.
Don’t Just Fix One Part
Even if you can narrow your roof problem down to one patch, in most cases it is better to replace the whole roof. Roofs have a recommended life span, and if one part of it has deteriorated, it means another part is probably soon to follow. It can save you money and frustration in the long run if you replace your whole roof once there is a problem.
If the time has finally come for roof replacement, it may be tempting to save some money by taking short cuts such as reusing old materials or not replacing damaged materials before you start. However, this can cost you more money in the end, in addition to the aggravation of having to call in a roofing expert to fix things yet again.
