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.
- 2How to tell if slate roof wear is normal or a serious problem?Original slate roofs develop wear patterns and aging signs that look alarming to buyers even when inspectors dismiss them. This leaves homeowners doubting professional advice and struggling to figure out whether the roof needs expensive repairs or is simply aging normally.
- 2How to put a metal roof on a cordwood buildingInstalling a low-slope standing seam roof with high-temp underlayment on a cordwood building requires figuring out proper truss construction without creating ridge weak points or outward wall pressure. Because doing this for the first time without professional help is difficult, DIY builders struggle to find the right materials and installation procedure for structures lacking existing fascia boards.
- 2Is water draining from under siding normal after heavy rain?Water coming out from under siding after a heavy downpour leaves homeowners unsure if weather-sealing is working or if moisture is trapped inside the walls. This uncertainty makes it difficult to know whether the drainage is a normal runoff pattern or a hidden defect requiring immediate intervention.
- 2What happens when contract numbers and written words don't match?Conflicting clauses like written amounts versus numerical percentages or vague phrasing like '2 Layers' force people to rely on expensive lawyers to sort out what was actually intended. By the time legal fees kick in, the dispute halts standard lease reconciliations and creates costly delays.
- 2How to find an available roofer before heavy rain startsOnce storms begin, roofers book up rapidly or charge exorbitant emergency rates. This leaves homeowners unable to get timely repairs before the bad weather hits.
- 2How to disconnect a gas fireplace chimney without getting on the roofYou can disconnect a gas fireplace vent or chimney from inside the house without climbing onto the roof, though it requires carefully cutting or dismantling the pipe sections while keeping future reconnection in mind. Doing this safely allows you to remove a leaking or unused structure on a tight budget without destroying the parts you might need for a future fireplace insert.
- 2How to get shingles and heavy building materials onto a roofCarrying heavy bundles of shingles up a ladder takes countless exhausting trips. People either need a way to hoist materials themselves or a reliable service to hire out when renting a crane isn't an option.
- 2How to fix the roof after removing a chimneyFixing the roof requires framing the leftover hole and removing old, rusted sheet metal that allows water to leak into the surrounding drywall. Finding the right solution is often difficult because contractors give conflicting opinions on the best way to patch the area.
- 2Roof or gutter contractors missed rotting fascia boardHidden wood rot and sagging fascia are frequently discovered only after a new roof or gutter installation is complete. Because contractors often leave these structural issues unaddressed during the project, homeowners are left dealing with unexpected damage and costly disputes over who is responsible for the repairs.
- 2Can you install metal roofing over an uneven or messed up roof?Installing metal roofing over an irregular or multi-layered structure requires deciding whether to try evening it out over the top of the decking or tear down to the rafters to straighten them. This uncertainty leaves homeowners unsure if they can use exposed fastener panels or if they need to completely rebuild or choose a different material.
- 2How to fix loose exterior soffit panels that keep falling outExterior soffit panels frequently pop out of place, leading homeowners to resort to temporary fixes like roofing tar, nails, or flex tape to secure them. However, finding the right fastener or adhesive to keep them permanently in place without leaks or damage remains a challenge.
- 2How to get insurance to pay for fully adhered rubber roofsInsurance companies typically only approve basic pricing for mechanically attached 45-mil rubber, leaving out the new fiberboard, edge metal, and flashing tapes required for a fully adhered system. This makes it impossible for roofers to afford the correct materials and labor to do the job right, let alone make a profit. Insurers also frequently try to limit payouts to minor shingle repairs when a full roof replacement is actually needed.
- 2Do I actually need 5 or 6 inch gutters?First-time homeowners gathering quotes get stuck trying to determine if a two-story, 2200-square-foot house actually requires 6-inch gutters or if 5-inch ones are enough. They also struggle to choose between black and white, leaving them unsure of exactly what to buy.
- 2Are gaps around replacement skylights normal?Gaps at the top and bottom of replacement skylights often leave people questioning if the fitment is correct. When planning to cut through a rafter and install headers to finish the opening, nearby fireplace connections can interfere with this standard setup. This structural uncertainty stops people from knowing how to properly finish the framing.
- 2Is it ok to install OSB over plywood roof decking?Adding OSB over existing plywood provides a better surface for shingles to hold onto. However, installing foil-backed OSB tightly against plywood fails to insulate the house because the foil must face open air in the attic to work. Instead, this double-layered installation risks trapping moisture between the wood.
- 2What cap sheet lasts longest over an old smooth hot roof?Figuring out the right materials for a flat roof is tricky, even for DIYers who have successfully installed shingles before. Online tutorial videos often fail to clarify exactly what to use for the underlayment or which roll-on cap sheet is the most durable option to apply.
- 2How to vent a ceiling bathroom fan through a snowy roofVenting a bathroom fan through the roof in heavy snow areas risks snow blockage, but ceiling installations often leave wall venting impossible due to location. This leaves homeowners stuck between blocked roof vents and improper attic or soffit venting that traps moisture.
- 2Should I retrofit a bathroom exhaust fan or replace the whole unit?Replacing a discontinued bathroom exhaust fan forces homeowners to choose between retrofitting new parts into existing housing or replacing the entire unit to avoid difficult attic work. This dilemma is complicated by concerns over proper ventilation routing and whether humid air will be pulled back into the attic through nearby soffit vents.
- 2Rotted roof decking and mold around chimneyStorm leaks often reveal widespread mold and rotting wood surrounding chimneys and vents. Roofers frequently blame this extensive mold on poor ventilation, which forces homeowners to figure out how to improve airflow. This creates concern over whether contractors will fully replace the compromised decking left directly above the chimney.
- 2What to do when contractors give conflicting adviceContractors frequently propose completely different methods or safety standards for the exact same issue, such as suggesting three different ways to replace a roof or disagreeing on safe emission levels for an aging boiler. This conflicting information leaves homeowners struggling to determine which approach is actually correct for an older house, stalling major repairs because they do not know which professional to trust.
Comes up alongside
Topics that keep appearing on the same problems — not topics with similar names.