One of the more expensive components of your home to fix is the roof. Unfortunately, it is also an extremely frequent areas to spot inadequate quality workmanship. A damaged or poorly built roof could cause a variety of issues in the future and could result in further roof repairs and structural damage caused by leaks.
The good thing is you do not need expertise in order to detect a bad roofing job. There are many indications that your roofer was not worthy of the expense.
Appearance Tests
A majority of the poor roofing work can be identified quickly; some of them are easily visible on the ground. Most of the time the signs visible to the naked eye will appear long after the roof has been constructed and could be caused by erosion or storm damage.
Seeing any of these after the completion of a roofing project, especially if there was no major storms, is an indicator that the roofing company did poorly.
Shingles damaged or missing
Following a severe storm there is a tendency to observe shingle damages. If your home is the only house in the neighborhood to experience this kind of damage, then the condition of the roof itself has to be scrutinized.
Small pieces of shingle can be replaced without the need to replace the entire roof. However, you should seek out an inspection by a professional roofing company to determine if the damage is specific to your house.
Stains
Leaks of water are often identified by the black stains that appear over your roofing. Examine any stains carefully and inspect your attic to assess the severity of the leak, as well as any damage that may have caused by it.
The leaks that are isolated can be fixed without having to replace the entire roof. However, the extensive damage, which includes several spots where the grainy roof shingles’ surface has been removed, suggests an issue of a greater scope that will require extensive repairs and even a complete roof replacement.
Uniformity
In normal conditions the roof wears evenly across all sides. This is true even when one side is facing into the elements and the other side is away from it. Be sure to check your roof regularly to make sure that one side isn’t getting worn down fast enough.
When you are looking for indications of damage, make note of any shingles that are not the correct color or size. Incorrectly matched shingles are a typical indication that your contractor is cutting corners, and could cause further damages.
A variation in materials might result in the fact that new roof sections will wear out in a different way than other parts of your roof. This could lead to additional repairs in the future.
Structural Tests
Although it is easy to identify some issues visually, others will require an extra effort. They aren’t less crucial and could result in leaks and even more storm damage if ignored.
Hardware Make-ups
To make a waterproof roof, you need more than simply shingles. Flashing and the right methods of attachment are equally important to have an enduring roof. The flashing must be installed correctly and sealed. This is particularly important when you’ve added an extension to your home and when the two roofs meet.
In addition the different roofs need different nails. The right size, spacing far enough or nailing the roof too low can cause leaks, and even dislodged shingles when the next storm or in the event of strong winds. It is not as simple as other possible issues, but it’s crucial.
The Drip isn’t there Edge
It is steel sheet that guards the roof beneath the edge of the roof (fascia) to prevent water damages. It’s situated between the underlayment and the shingles and extends over the gutter when properly installed. Drip edges are secured with roofing cement, and occasionally a row of roofing nails, which are set well over an edge on the roof.
The types of damage that could result from the drip edge not being present include:
The missing overlay
The underlayment is a sheet of paper or another material that acts as a barrier to waterproofing and can be found underneath the roofing shingles. The absence of an underlayment won’t just cause roof leaks but can also reduce the life that your roofing will last.
Contractor Red Lights
In most cases it is possible to avoid an unsatisfactory roofing project prior to the event. There are many red flags to look out for when choosing a roofing contractor. Each one of these should be a cause for cautiousness, and more than one of them means you need to find a different contractor prior to the start of work.
Evaluations
Be cautious about any contractor who fails to fully discuss any structure like skylights or chimneys, which extend through the roof. A thorough examination of your attic or underneath of your roof essential prior to any roofing project.
A reputable contractor will spend the time to carefully look over the area, answer any questions you ask about the work and provide a detailed explanation of what is required and the reason. Contractors who just give you an estimate could fail to do a good job on your roof and hope that you do not be able to notice.
Paperwork
Always conduct a background check on potential contractors regardless of the task. A reputable contractor will give you their certificates and insurance information. Indeed, many contractors carry copies of their insurance documents when they are working in the field. The documents are required to get an authorization that they should be able to provide before beginning work.
A licensed and insured contractor won’t request permits for building yourself. This is a major signal that typically means that the builder is not insured and licensed. If you get permits on behalf of the contractor you are accountable for all injuries and costs that might occur during the job, which includes wasted materials and property damages.
Another thing to verify to determine is whether or not the construction company has received the necessary disposal permits. Based on the municipality you live in the required permits or documentation could be required to allow disposing of garbage generated by the project. Always consult the local office of your code enforcer to learn about the additional documents your contractor needs prior to beginning work.
