The 5 Most Common Roofing Mistakes We Fix Around Berks County

sam86878
Jun 22
2 min read

You’d be surprised what we see when we get up on roofs around Berks County.

Sometimes it’s storm damage… but a lot of times? It’s mistakes left behind by other contractors — or well-meaning DIY jobs gone wrong.

At Red Patch Roofing, we believe in fixing things the right way — no shortcuts. Here are the 5 most common roofing mistakes we fix — and how to avoid them.

🚩 1️⃣ Improper Nailing

Believe it or not, we often find shingles:

❌ Nailed too high (misses the double-layer sweet spot)

❌ Nailed through sealant strips

❌ Under-nailed or over-driven

Why it matters: Poor nailing = shingles that blow off in high winds. We always follow manufacturer guidelines — your roof warranty depends on it.

Gray shingle roof with one shingle misaligned, creating a subtle pattern disruption. Overcast lighting, no visible text or decorations.

🚩 2️⃣ Skipping Ice & Water Shield

Some contractors cut corners by skipping this crucial layer at eaves and valleys.

Without it:

Ice dams → leaks in winter
Wind-driven rain → sneaks under shingles

We never skip it — every roof we install gets full ice & water protection where needed.

🚩 3️⃣ Incorrect Flashing Installation

This one drives us nuts. Bad flashing around:

Chimneys
Skylights
Wall transitions
Roof valleys

…leads to some of the worst leaks we see.

Good flashing = dry home. We inspect and replace flashing on every project — no exceptions.

Aerial view of a gray rooftop and chimney, with a white car parked on a street. Red-roofed brick house and colorful balloons visible.

🚩 4️⃣ Reusing Old Materials

We’ve seen new shingles installed over:

Worn-out underlayment
Rusted flashing
Rotted decking

That’s not a new roof — it’s a time bomb. We replace what needs replacing, period — not cover it up.

🚩 5️⃣ Poor Ventilation

A roof that can’t breathe =

Trapped moisture
Mold and mildew
Shortened shingle life

We assess ventilation on every job. If it’s lacking, we’ll recommend proper ridge vents or intake upgrades to protect your roof and attic.

🎖️ Final Word From Red Patch Roofing

As a veteran-owned roofing company, we hold ourselves to a higher standard. We won’t leave behind the mistakes we see all too often in this industry.

If you’re seeing roof issues — or if your last contractor left you wondering — give Red Patch Roofing a call. We’ll show you what’s going on up there and fix it the right way.

No shortcuts. No gimmicks. Just honest, expert roofing done by pros.