Avoid These Common Roofing Mistakes — And What to Do Instead
Common Roofing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. It protects everything beneath it—your family, your belongings, and the structure itself. But when it comes time to repair or replace a roof, many homeowners make mistakes that end up costing them time, money, and peace of mind. At Taylor Made Services Roofing, Inc., we’ve seen it all, and we’re here to help you avoid the most common roofing pitfalls.
- Mistake 1: Choosing the Cheapest Option
- Mistake 2: Ignoring Roof Inspections
- Mistake 3: Covering Old Shingles Instead of Replacing Them
- Mistake 4: Overlooking Proper Ventilation
- Mistake 5: Not Understanding FORTIFIED Roofing Options
Don't forget to check out our Frequently Asked Questions on common roofing mistakes and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Choosing the Cheapest Option
The problem: Many homeowners are tempted to go with the lowest bid. Unfortunately, the cheapest price often means lower-quality materials or unskilled labor. What seems like a bargain today can lead to leaks, damage, and costly repairs tomorrow.
What to do instead: Look for value, not just price. Hire a licensed, insured roofing contractor with proven experience. High-quality roofing materials and expert installation may cost more upfront, but they save you money in the long run by preventing premature failure.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Roof Inspections
The problem: Out of sight, out of mind—many people assume their roof is fine until they see a leak. By then, the damage is often much worse (and more expensive) than it needed to be.
What to do instead: Schedule regular roof inspections, especially after major storms. Professional inspections catch small issues—like missing shingles, flashing problems, or minor leaks—before they turn into major headaches.
Mistake #3: Covering Old Shingles Instead of Replacing Them
The problem: Some contractors suggest adding a new layer of shingles on top of old ones. While this might seem like a quick, cheap solution, it adds unnecessary weight to your roof and doesn’t fix the underlying issues.
What to do instead: Always remove the old roofing material before installing a new roof. This allows your contractor to inspect the decking for hidden damage, ensuring your new roof is built on a solid foundation.
Mistake #4: Overlooking Proper Ventilation
The problem: Poor attic ventilation is one of the most overlooked issues in roofing. Without proper airflow, heat and moisture build up, causing shingles to age faster, insulation to lose effectiveness, and even mold growth.
What to do instead: Make sure your roofing contractor evaluates and installs proper ventilation. Balanced intake and exhaust systems extend the life of your roof and improve energy efficiency inside your home.
Mistake #5: Not Understanding FORTIFIED Roofing Options
The problem: Along the Gulf Coast, storms are a fact of life. Many homeowners don’t realize that standard roofing may not provide the best long-term protection against high winds and severe weather.
What to do instead: Ask about FORTIFIED Roofing. This roofing system is specifically designed to withstand Gulf Coast weather, giving you peace of mind and potential insurance savings. At Taylor Made Services, we specialize in installing FORTIFIED Roofs that go above and beyond standard code.
Final Thoughts
Your roof is too important to gamble on shortcuts or guesswork. By avoiding these common roofing mistakes, you’ll protect your home, save money, and gain peace of mind knowing the job was done right.
At Taylor Made Services Roofing, Inc., we’re here to guide you through the process—from inspections to installation—so you can feel confident in your investment.
📞 Call us today to schedule your inspection or request a free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when replacing a roof?
- Why is ignoring regular roof inspections a mistake?
- Is it okay to cover old shingles instead of removing them when replacing a roof?
- How important is attic/roof ventilation, and why is it overlooked?
- What is “FORTIFIED Roofing” and why is not understanding it a mistake?
- What’s the takeaway for homeowners when it comes to their roof investment?
Question: What is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when replacing a roof?
Answer: One major mistake is going with the cheapest bid simply because it’s the lowest price. The problem is that a low price often means lower-quality materials or unskilled labor. What may seem like a bargain today can lead to leaks, damage and costly repairs later.
What to do instead: Focus on value, not just price. Hire a licensed, insured roofing contractor with proven experience, and use high-quality materials and expert installation to avoid premature failure.
Question: Why is ignoring regular roof inspections a mistake?
Answer: Many homeowners assume their roof is fine until they see a visible leak; by that point, the damage is often much worse (and more expensive) than if caught early.
What to do instead: Schedule regular roof inspections, especially after storms. A professional inspection can catch early issues (missing shingles, flashing problems, minor leaks) before they turn into big headaches.
Question: Is it okay to cover old shingles instead of removing them when replacing a roof?
Answer: No — that is a common mistake. Some contractors suggest layering new shingles over old ones. While this may seem cheaper and faster, it adds unnecessary weight to your roof and doesn’t address underlying issues.
What to do instead: Remove the old roofing materials entirely before installing a new roof. Doing so allows inspection of the decking for hidden damage, ensuring your new roof is built on a solid foundation.
Question: How important is attic/roof ventilation, and why is it overlooked?
Answer: Proper ventilation is very important but often overlooked. Without adequate airflow, heat and moisture build up in the attic, causing shingles to age faster, insulation to lose effectiveness, and even resulting in mold growth.
What to do instead: Ensure your roofing contractor evaluates your attic ventilation and installs a balanced intake and exhaust system. Good ventilation extends the life of your roof and improves energy efficiency in your home.
Question: What is “FORTIFIED Roofing” and why is not understanding it a mistake?
Answer: Especially in areas like the Gulf Coast where storms are a fact of life, many homeowners don’t realize that standard roofing may not offer the best protection against high winds and severe weather. Not understanding or opting out of a system like FORTIFIED Roofing is a mistake.
What to do instead: Ask about FORTIFIED Roofing — a roofing system designed to withstand severe weather, offering enhanced protection and often resulting in insurance savings. This company specializes in installing FORTIFIED Roofs that go above and beyond standard code.
Question: What’s the takeaway for homeowners when it comes to their roof investment?
Answer: Your roof is too important to gamble on shortcuts or guesswork. By avoiding these common mistakes — choosing strictly the cheapest option, skipping inspections, layering old shingles, overlooking ventilation, and ignoring severe-weather systems — you’ll better protect your home, save money in the long run, and gain peace of mind that the job was done right.
