3 Common Roofing Mistakes Roofing Apprentices Should Avoid Making
If you are an apprentice in the roofing business, then you probably know that the popularity of metal roofing has grown over the years. Many people prefer metal as their first choice material for their roofs, and this is not limited to homes alone - businesses increasingly prefer this option. The trend can be attributed to the numerous advantages that metal roofing offers over other types of roofs. Nonetheless, as a roofing apprentice, you want your first job to be flawless. To achieve this, you must avoid making some common mistakes during the installation process of metal roofs. This article highlights such mistakes.
Not Reading the Installation Manual -- Metal roofs come with instructions on how to go about the installation process. While you may be a specialist in the business of asphalt roof installation, not all roofs have the same installation procedures. Therefore, it is important for you to read and understand the manufacturer manual before you begin any work. Failure to understand the manual will most likely lead to wrong installation and possible damage to the roof. Consequently, this will render the manufacturer warranty void, thereby costing the client extra money in repairs and replacements.
Improperly Installing Backing Fasteners -- Backing fasteners are an example of commonly improperly installed metal roofing materials. Fasteners back out of their joints due to differences in properties of the materials they hold together in place. For instance, when a fastener is driven into the wooden furring that supports the roof, it will cause the fastener to back out, especially during the summer because metal and wood expand and contract at different rates. The best way you can prevent this is by placing a steel gauge between the metal roof and the roof's deck. The gauge will hold the fasteners in place because steel expands and contracts at the same rate as metal roofing.
Not Drying the Installation Surface -- The surface on which you plan to install a metal roof should be free of water. You want to make sure that there is no sign of wetness on the surface of the deck because any moisture will cause the roof to expand and contract depending on weather changes. The expansion and contraction will result into gaps between the roof sheets and allow moisture to seep through, causing more damage to the installation surface. Therefore, double-check the surface and ensure that it is completely dry before you begin any installation.
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