Remember, the tiniest installation error can cause big problems for your roof down the road. This is especially true for shingles. Here are the three installation mistakes you should avoid.
Forgetting to Install the Starter Shingles First
As the name suggests, the starter shingles should be the first thing to be installed during a roof replacement. They prevent water from infiltrating your roof through gaps at the edge of your roof, specifically the eaves and rakes.
Don’t forget to align the starter shingles properly, and make sure the asphalt shingles overlap each other. Otherwise, water can seep through the gaps. Before attempting to install shingles yourself, always make sure to read the manufacturer’s manual first.
Not Using Enough Nails
The manual should also tell you the optimum number of nails for each shingle as well as the exact location for each nail. Conventional shingles usually need four nails on top of a narrow strip on their surface.
Overdriving the Nail
If you’re going to use a hammer, make sure the shaft is driven into the shingle’s surface. However, take care not to drive the nail in too much as you could end up damaging the mat or the foundation of the shingle. A pneumatic nail gun can help you finish the shingle installation faster. Just make sure the nail gun is on the correct pressure setting.
When to Leave It the Professionals
However, if you don’t have enough experience with this kind of work, it’d be better to leave roof installation work to the professionals. Given that even a tiny mistake can lead to costly problems with your roof, it’d be better to let an experienced contractor install your shingles for you.
Willi Roofing Services, a GAF-certified contractor with nearly two decades’ worth of experience in the industry, offers professional roof installation services. To get a free estimate, call us at (512) 394-8234, or fill out our form here. We serve homeowners in Pflugerville, TX, as well as the surrounding communities.
