April 23, 2025

Homeowner Maintenance: 5 Roofing Mistakes to Avoid

Strong winds, snow, rain, and high heat are the most damaging elements to your roof. As a result, they degrade more quickly compared to the other parts of the house. Repairs and replacements are standard precautions to take to ensure that your property is protected from these elements. However, one blunder might derail everything and inflict much more harm. In this post, we’ll go over five typical roofing mistakes to avoid so that a solid, well-installed roof protects you and your property.

Mistake #1: Not Replacing Old Shingles

Roof shingles are what keep the elements at bay. They protect against high-speed wind damage as well as water leaking to your interiors. One typical blunder is simply replacing old shingles with new ones rather than removing them first when it comes to roof repair. Placing new shingles on top of existing ones might result in many areas where moisture and dirt can collect. This may ultimately cause degeneration, leading to additional and more expensive repairs.

Mistake #2: Improper Ventilation

You may have an attic just beneath the roof, depending on the house’s structure. The air within the house is wet and, unless you have a strong ventilation system, the moisture will stay trapped. Moisture build-up can shorten the life of the roof support and damage the insulation. If you want to avoid this, make sure your roof is well ventilated. A licensed roofing contractor should include a ridge vent, eave vents, and baffles in all new roofing systems.

Mistake #3: Poor Nailing Job

The correct management of nails is a crucial element of any regular roofing work. It’s vital to keep your shingles in place to prevent them from sliding. Most shingle manufacturers recommend at least five nails per shingle and up to ten if your property has a steep slope. The nails must be driven through the nailing strip in a specific pattern. Roof leaks and premature roof and shingle collapse are expected outcomes of improper nailing.

Mistake #4: Incorrect Flashing Installation

To avoid leaks, local roofing companies install flashing around chimneys, vents, and valleys. Inexperienced roofers may install flashing poorly or fail to secure flashing correctly. This causes flashing buckling, which leads to more water damage. To avoid more issues and maintain your roofing in good shape, make sure that the flashing is in good form and fixed as soon as possible.

Mistake #5: Improper Slope

The majority of DIY roofers pick the incorrect material, resulting in an improperly sloped roof. A new roof construction needs meticulous measurements to ensure that valleys and peaks meet seamlessly. If done poorly, water will flow in the wrong direction, exposing the walls or adjacent structures to harm from the weather. More significant mistakes will jeopardize the roof’s structural stability. Any structural work should be done by specialists from a residential roofing company who are qualified and experienced.

Conclusion

Roof repair and replacement need plenty of skills and expertise. It’s a home project you should never attempt on your own. Many individuals do this to save money, but it only takes one blunder to become a more severe problem.

Keep in mind that when you work with the wrong individuals, things might go awry. Not only will it result in poor craftsmanship, but it can also lead to accidents or any other unfortunate events. A roofer should be licensed, insured, and have a long track record of success.

If you are looking for roofing companies near Needham, Roofing, and Siding of Boston is a veteran-owned company that has been in the roofing and siding business for over ten years. Our pros complete fantastic work that speaks for itself. Contact us today!

Dmitry Labkovich

Since 2002, I have dedicated my career to construction, starting as a cleanup worker and laborer. Despite tough conditions, I quickly mastered roofing and siding, and within six months, I was handling complex tasks. Later, I became a subcontractor, growing the business with a partner and expanding our team.

In 2011, I founded Roofing and Siding of Cape Cod and Boston. At the same time, I continued working with major firms, building a reputation through high-quality work and excellent service. In 2010, I joined the Coast Guard Reserve, which helped me develop leadership skills. Before my deployment in 2018, I built a reliable team that ensured steady company growth.

Today, Roofing and Siding of Cape Cod and Boston is a team of 30+ professionals, all OSHA-certified. We continue to expand while maintaining top-quality standards and exceptional customer service.

**Experience & Expertise**

- 20+ years in the roofing and siding industry
- Hands-on experience from laborer to business owner
- Managing a team of 30+ professionals
- Business development and client relations

**Education & Certification**

- Practical training in roofing and siding techniques
- OSHA safety certification
- Coast Guard Reserve service experience
- Ongoing professional development in construction