As a contractor, you get it: roofing is one of the most – if not the most – critical elements of any building. It protects the structure from the elements, provides insulation and plays a decisive role in energy efficiency. However, even the best-designed roof can fail if mistakes are made during the selection, installation or maintenance process.
As the person making those big decisions, you can be held at-fault if those errors lead to water ingress, energy efficiencies, structural damage or costly repairs. That means that it’s essential that you understand the most common roofing mistakes and how to avoid them. Look no further for the advice you need: this comprehensive learning resource contains everything you need to know. Thank us later!
Mistake #1: Choosing the Wrong Materials
The most common mistake we see being made? That’s easy: choosing the wrong materials. Every roofing project is unique, and selecting the wrong materials for a building’s specific requirements can be one of the most significant and costly mistakes you can make. Your choice of materials should carefully consider factors like climate, building design and budget.
Here’s an example. Lightweight, single ply membranes are a great choice for modern flat roof designs, while bitumen waterproofing is ideal for projects requiring traditional durability. Green roofs are a better choice for sustainability-minded projects, while EPDM is the go-to for long-term flat roof performance.
- Tecron Tip: Avoid the common roofing pitfall by discussing your requirements with one of our experts. We’ll use our decades of experience to ensure your choice is the right one. Simple!
Mistake #2: Not Installing Incorrectly
No matter the quality or performance of your materials, the entire system will often depend on the quality of installation. Poor sealing, insufficient adhesion, or gaps in coverage can allow water to penetrate the roof, leading to leaks and long-term structural damage. For example, failing to properly install liquid-applied waterproofing can leave unprotected gaps, while incorrect placement of insulation can create thermal bridging and reduce energy efficiency.
- Tecron Tip: Before getting to work, ensure you have the technical support and expert advice you need. Contact us to ensure you’re following manufacturer guidelines.
Mistake #3: Poor Ventilation
As any roofing contractor knows, poor ventilation often leads to the build-up of moisture and mould, as well as the potential rotting of structural materials. This is caused due to the formation of condensation, which is caused by warm air meeting cooler roof surfaces. When this moisture has nowhere to go, you can expect significant issues down the line.
- Tecron Tip: Using a Vapour Control Layer (VCL) is essential, alongside high-performance ventilation in your roof design. This will manage moisture effectively while enhancing the overall lifespan of your building. For more advice, check out our blog on this subject.
Mistake #4: Neglecting the Vapour Barrier
Time and time again, we point out the importance of a vapour barrier to ensure a successful roofing project. While some may install the vapour barrier incorrectly, others may forget to install it completely. Any mistake made in this area will cause your roof to be highly susceptible to water ingress and energy loss.
- Tecron Tip: Our advanced vapour control products are designed to integrate seamlessly into roofing systems as a reliable defense against moisture. Always remember to install the vapour barrier on the warm side of the insulation to maximise its effectiveness.
Mistake #5: Not Securing Your Materials During Installation
In the roofing industry, we love lightweight materials like insulation, membranes and vapour barriers. However, during strong winds, these nifty materials can quickly turn into dangerous projectiles, presenting a major risk to your health and safety – not to mention the safety of others at ground level.
- Tecron Tip: We recommend storing your materials at ground level until they’re ready to be installed. This is especially important during the winter season, when winds are typically a lot stronger. We recommend using a decent fastening system to ensure your components are held firmly in place during unpredictable weather.
Mistake #6: Not Paying Attention to Drainage
Drainage is a critically important consideration for virtually any flat roof design. If a drainage system isn’t designed or installed correctly, you face an increased risk of water pooling. This will inevitably add extra weight to the roof and increase the risk of leaks, structural damage and total failure. As a roofing contractor, this is the last thing you’ll want to deal with.
- Tecron Tip: We recommend planning your drainage systems with care and attention to detail, incorporating adequate slopes, outlets and channels. For advice on reliable outlets and accessories, contact us today.
Mistake #7: Neglecting Night Seals and Disregarding Weather
We’ve already talked about the importance of keeping your materials tied down and secured during periods of windy weather. However, that’s not the only environmental condition you should be wary of. By neglecting to install temporary seals over work-in-progress roof areas, you risk causing potential damage to insulation and other materials. Aside from that, disregarding weather conditions can cause major issues, with rain, high winds and extreme cold threatening to compromise your adhesion, damage your materials and create unsafe working conditions.
- Tecron Tip: Always install night seals to protect unfinished sections of your roof (EPDM Flashing Tapes are a great solution). As far as unpredictable weather goes, we advise planning your roofing project around favourable weather forecasts, ensuring you arrive on-site fully equipped with protective tarps or covers to shield work-in-progress areas from sudden changes.
Mistake #8: Skipping Regular Maintenance
Last but not least, let’s take a look at one of the most common roofing mistakes we see: neglecting regular maintenance. Once a roof is installed, it’s easy to assume that the work is done. However, skipping regular maintenance can allow small issues—such as clogged drains or minor wear—to turn into major problems over time.
- Tecron Tip: Schedule routine inspections to check for signs of wear, leaks or debris. Tecron’s experts can provide guidance on ongoing roof care and suggest products to help prolong the life of your system.
Avoid Roofing Errors: Partner with the Pros
As with an area of specialised work, accidents do happen. However, by partnering with a true expert that’s always on-hand to provide the advice you need, you can keep these potentially costly errors to a minimum. To learn more about how we can help, check out the section below.
Ensure Reliable, Consistent Results with Tecron
Regardless of your project’s unique requirements or the challenges you face, we’ve got the experience, expertise and inventory to help. To reach out to one of our roofing experts now, simply reach out with your query to info@tecron.ie. Alternatively, call us on 0818 75 75 75 (or +353 91 353 545 outside of RoI), or visit our Trade Counter.