Fixing a leak can be a tricky roof repair as the cause is not always easy to detect. A leak will usually be the first sign of the need for roof repairs, but the location of the leak may not necessarily indicate the area that is damaged on your roof. Damaged or not properly installed roofing shingles allow water to run down your roof and accumulate in an area often several feet from the damaged shingles. This may further cause damage to the roofing and sub-roofing materials. A proper roofing inspection needs to be performed to find the cause of the leak and fix the damage in a proper way. The worst thing a homeowner can do is not address a leak before winter weather sets in, especially given that more often than not the repair needed is a common sight to the roofing contractor.

Common Mistakes Made During Roofing Repairs

Homeowners should be aware of common mistakes that a roofing contractor can make during a roof repair to ensure they hired a professional roofer that will take the time to analyze the issue and fix it properly. Roof repairs can sometimes turn into somewhat complex projects rather than quick fixes, so the homeowner should be aware of common mistakes a roofer can make so that the job is not butchered.

• Faulty base - Replacing damaged or missing roofing shingles is often just a band-aid fix. The job should not last 10 minutes, as a proper roof repair should be preceded by a thorough inspection. The roofer should first remove several additional roofing shingles to analyze if any damage has been done to the sheathing or underlayments.
• Proper shingle installation - Roofing shingles should be properly aligned (especially starter shingles) to make for a successful roofing repair job. It is necessary that the shingles be laid flat as well.
• Fastening - Shingles should be properly fastened to your roof. Roofing shingles that are not properly fastened will require further roof repairs, as they will quickly raise, thus allowing moisture and further damage to your roof.
• Improper flashing installation - Flashing channels moisture away from critical areas of your roof such as chimney, skylights, or vent pipes . It is often required to replace these types of flashing (often along with shingles) as the prior roofer may not have installed the flashing correctly or used a poor quality flashing to save money.

Do not hesitate to call a qualified roofing contractor to address roofing issues you may have. Some homeowners may wish to tackle these projects themselves as the tasks seems simple enough - please remember that any missed steps in completing these common roofing repairs could potentially lead to significant damage. Additionally, make sure you primarily focus on safety while navigating your roof, as it is easy to forget how high you are as well as how steep your roof is if you are not used to roofing on a daily basis.

Are you looking for a roof repair contractor in central New Jersey? If so, do not hesitate to contact Brothers Roofing at (609)508-3416. We have successfully performed countless roof repairs throughout the region and look forward to serving your roofing needs.