What people keep running into with roofing
Complaints tagged roofing, each raised by more than one person. One-off posts are not included.
183 recurring problems · 2167 people · 38 forums we read
Raised more than once
Most people first.
- 8How to maintain an older home chimney yourselfMost older home chimney maintenance involves knowing which routine upkeep steps you can handle yourself instead of paying high recurring cleaning fees. Homeowners often look for ways to keep their chimney in good shape and evaluate whether additions like a chimney cap are actually necessary.
- 8How to find a contractor who actually does attic ventilation calculationsMost roofers only want to slap down shingles and leave the same day instead of handling complex ventilation work or tricky setups like rubber roofs. This makes it nearly impossible to get proper calculations and installation done without hiring the wrong tradesman. Homeowners end up stuck trying to figure out which professional to call and how to get the job done right.
- 7How to find and hire reliable contractors after property damageNew homeowners dealing with property damage often struggle to figure out who to call and whether they are expected to coordinate the repairs themselves. This uncertainty leaves them unsure of how to find trusted help or whether remediation contractors are artificially inflating charges for insurance.
- 7How to match old weathered roof shinglesMatching weathered shingles from roughly a decade ago is notoriously difficult because even standard color matches like Duration Brownwood do not quite align with aged materials, leaving repair professionals unable to achieve a seamless blend. Suppliers and lab reports often point to specific brands due to features like the SureNail, but the slight color discrepancy caused by aging makes exact replacements nearly impossible to find.
- 7How to install drip edge on an existing roofInstalling a drip edge on an existing shingle roof requires finding reliable instructional videos, as many homes are built without one. Homeowners trying to add this flashing before putting up gutters often have to search for the correct method to retrofit it properly.
- 7How to patch a gouged EPDM rubber roofEPDM roof repairs involve conflicting methods and products like liquid roof repair pastes or standard patches, leaving it unclear which technique actually stops leaks permanently. This confusion prevents homeowners from reliably fixing damage themselves without risking further water intrusion.
- 7Water leaking behind new gutters and soffitsWater is following the drip-edge flange downward, hitting the back of the gutter, and dropping straight down the outside instead of flowing inside. This accumulated water collects between the soffit and the lip of the fascia, causing leaks that did not happen before the installation.
- 7How to fix loose metal roof trim that won't stay inWhen wind bends metal roof edge trim away, simply pushing it back into the existing holes fails to secure it in place. This leaves an exposed gap that risks water running into the structure between the flashing and the wall.
- 7Should I ask the contractor to redo work or take a deduction?Salespeople frequently sign the agreement but fail to relay specific aesthetic choices or installation upgrades to the crew doing the actual work. This forces you to either accept a financial deduction for the ignored details or risk the crew messing up the project even more if you demand a redo.
- 6Why do restaurant buildouts and renovations always take months longer?Restaurant construction projects often get derailed by delayed permits, contractor disputes, and unexpected extra costs like unitemized bills. Dealing with these severe overruns forces owners to pay double expenses for rent and loans while waiting for completion, which creates intense financial strain and exhausting delays.
- 6Is underlayment required under slate, tile, or thatch roofs?Slate, tile, and thatch materials are not completely waterproof on their own and allow moisture to pass through joints and gaps. Underlayment serves as the actual primary waterproof barrier beneath these outer coverings, while the outer material functions mainly as UV protection.
- 6Why is my attic apartment so hot in summer and cold in winter?Attic apartments trap extreme heat from the roof while sharing a single HVAC sensor located elsewhere in the house, leaving the top floor sweltering at 80 degrees or freezing at 64. Because the central system cannot properly regulate the space, tenants are left struggling with unmanageable indoor temperatures and direct drafts from blowing vents.
- 6Why is my bathroom exhaust fan making a strange noise?Bathroom ventilation fans can suddenly start producing strange, on-and-off noises that persist for hours. This leaves homeowners unsure of what is wrong or how to diagnose the underlying mechanical issue.
- 6How to get an old coffee stain off the ceilingStandard cleaning methods like magic erasers, soap, and heavy scrubbing fail on coffee stains that have set for months or up to a year. This leaves people stuck trying to figure out which specialized products or disassembly techniques are actually required to clean the area and prevent future stains.
- 6Are gutter guards actually worth it with heavy rain?Water can bounce right off gutter guards during heavy rainfall on steep roofs, and they still require ongoing maintenance instead of being zero-effort. These issues make it difficult to determine if the installation makes financial sense or if traditional cleanouts are still necessary.
- 6Should I buy a house with conflicting roof damage reports?Getting mixed assessments from contractors makes it difficult to know whether to walk away or proceed with a purchase. This uncertainty leaves buyers unsure if they are making a costly mistake or needlessly passing on a good deal.
- 6Roofers left mono roof top exposed without a capContractors frequently finish single-slope or mono roofs without installing necessary ridge caps or drip edges, leaving the exposed edges vulnerable to rain and snow. Homeowners are left arguing with general contractors over missing flashings and trying to figure out what specific finishing corrections to demand.
- 6How to tell if worn chimney flashing is leakingWorn or poorly sealed chimney flashing can hide leaks that eventually cause water to drip into lower levels during heavy rainfall. Because flashing often conceals vulnerable areas—like roof transitions or covered porch ceilings—it is difficult to spot active damage without checking for hidden moisture entry points.
- 6How to patch an inaccessible vent pipeFull replacement is impossible when a damaged vent pipe sits hidden between a floor and an exterior wall, forcing a repair from the inside instead. Standard exterior patching products often crack repeatedly within months, leaving homeowners stuck searching for a durable solution that holds up on hard-to-reach connections.
- 6Why is rainwater missing my gutters?Gutters installed too high against the roof edge push shingles upward and cause rainwater to overshoot the trough entirely, pooling on the ground below. Fixing the issue requires lowering and repitching the gutter run so it sits flush beneath the roofline rather than pressing against the shingles.
Comes up alongside
Topics that keep appearing on the same problems — not topics with similar names.