How Do You Know If A Roofer Did A Good Job?

Your roof should be level on both sides and match in color throughout. One way to tell if a roofing job was done poorly is by looking for mismatched shingles, which would make the roof appear uneven. The roofline should be straight. If your rooflines are drooping or you see wave-like patterns, that’s a sign of trouble with the roof’s frame or deck.

Another sign of a good roofing job is color uniformity on the asphalt shingles. If the colors on your asphalt shingles are different, it’s a sign that your contractor ran out of shingles and had to use a new batch with a different color Instead of ordering for more. This is something you should avoid, as it shows poor planning or cheating on the contractor’s part.

Every section of your roof needs to match in terms of line, shape, and color. A dependable roofing contractor will purchase the necessary quality and quantity of materials to cover your entire roof.

One way that unscrupulous contractors will attempt to take advantage of a homeowner is in this area. Drip edge flashing is a significant material that should be installed on every edge of your roof by a roofing contractor. The main purpose is to prevent water damage to your home and also guard against pest infestations in the attic. While drip edges are a requirement for roofing shingles, most homeowners remain oblivious to their existence until they experience leaks or moisture damage.

If your roof is composed of shingles, take a close look at the gables and eaves. Each one should have a drip edge installed. Drip edges are made of metal flashing that goes between the shingles and the underlayment. They play an integral role in keeping water away from homes and making sure gutters work properly.

A competent roofing contractor will always use a drip edge to seal and protect your roof. Drip edges should be installed before the shingles are put on. Some companies also make custom drip edges which fit snugly around your roof for extra protection.

Shingles should be installed overlapping one another, with each shingle overlapping the previous one by at least 2 inches. This helps create a watertight seal and prevent any moisture from seeping through. Asphalt shingles are by far the most commonly used roofing material. A competent roofing contractor will make sure the shingles are installed properly with sufficient overlap between each column.

In order to spot a substandard job, look for shingle alignment and overhang. Shingles should hang between half, and no more than three-quarter inches, over the edge of the roof to prevent wood rot.

To check for alignment, see if the shingle lines overlap and appear level both horizontally and vertically. If they are not properly aligned, your roof will be more susceptible to leakage, cracks, and other types of damage later on.

Flashing is an important part of a roofing system, as it helps direct water away from vulnerable areas. Your contractor should ensure that all flashing is properly installed and sealed to ensure no water can enter the home. The flashing material should not be placed over time but under the roof shingles. It is also good to note that some parts of the roof, such as the area around the chimney, might need both step flashing and counter flashing for optimal protection. [2]

When shoddy roofing work is completed, the contractors will often attempt to fix it by replacing the metal flashing with ineffective caulk or roof cement. Though short-term effectiveness is possible with these sealants, they will not stand up over time – especially in regions that experience harsh weather conditions. A good roofing company will never cut corners by trying to reuse old material from previous jobs like some bad roofers do.

One of the first items to check should be verifying that your roofing contractor removed all old layers of shingles. This is an important step in the installation process and failure to remove them can lead to premature wear or damage down the road. When you conduct a visual inspection, you can spot the different layers of the roof. The roofer will give you an estimate of the cost for the number of layers of shingles to be installed. If your roofer didn’t remove the old layers, you would end up with more layers than quoted by the end of their job.
The following are a few reasons why it’s beneficial for contractors to remove old roofing layers before installation

• To maintain or increase the value of your property
• To give chance for the installation of water and ice break barriers
• To keep weight from straining and causing structural problems
• In order to avoid improper inspection
• To achieve a flat and smooth roof finish
• In order to follow building regulations that restrict the number of layers a roof can have

A properly done roof will have an underlayment. If you don’t see one, then the roofing job wasn’t well done. An excellent contractor will always put an underlayment between your home’s shingles and sheathing. The underlayment is an additional barrier that will protect your house from water damage and moisture. This will protect your home’s structure and extend the lifespan of your roof. A qualified contractor needs to use a strong synthetic underlayment and not any lesser quality underlayment.

A roof is the first line of defense for your house against outside or weather forces. In order to protect your home in the best way possible, you should make sure that it is installed correctly. When you hire a roofing company, they will either satisfy or disappoint you with their work. It is your job to make sure the roofing job is done well by checking out the mentioned signs of a good roofing job. Although it might cause some frustration, taking the time to hire good roofers will save you from a lot of headaches down the road. The best way to find a reputable roofing company is by reading reviews and ensuring they have a good reputation.

To prevent your roof from leaking and keep it strong in bad weather, make sure to hire a certified roofer who uses the proper nailing techniques. The only way to prevent your roof from leaking is by using the appropriate type and size of nails that correspond with the material you’re using. To ensure your new roof can weather any storm, use at least nails per shingle or six nails for particularly windy areas.

It is essential that the nails are driven correctly into the material. When hammering nails into shingles, ensure the nail head is hidden, but be careful not to drive the nail too deep. For example, an underdriven nail will not penetrate deep enough to reach the decking, increasing the risk of leakage or missing shingles.

If you drive a nail too deeply into a shingle, it will cut the shingle and increase your chance of leaks. If you don’t drive the nail in straight, it will also damage the shingles and lead to more leaks.

You should expect your home and the area around it to look exactly as it did before your contractor began their work after they finish. Reliable roofing contractors will not leave behind construction debris, empty packages, old shingles, or extra supplies. Rather, They will get rid of these materials themselves. Some contractors will even go as far as bringing their own construction dumpster to clean up the work site periodically. If a company leaves you with piles of extra material or without proper means to dispose of it, they have failed in their job. Not only is this ugly and inconvenient for you, but it could mean that the company has cut corners in other areas too.

Furthermore, during the roofing process, lawns, bushes, trees, plants and landscaping should never be harmed. This goes for both home siding and windows as well. Everyone makes mistakes, even the great ones. A quality company will always put an effort into fixing those problems before they get out of hand. If your roofer left you with a home that is now full of trash and debris or if there was damage done to other areas of your home, they did not deliver on the quality job they promised.

Review the contractor’s former clients to inquire about their experience and if they were satisfied with the roofing results. You can find these client details on the contractor’s website or social media pages.

To ensure a roofing contractor’s work is consistent, speak with at least two previous clients.

The first sign that a contractor is not reputable is when they do not have the required licenses and registrations. In order to operate, roofers must acquire a license from the Department of Professional Regulation. After your roofing contractor finishes their job, the local council will inspect your home to make sure codes and rules were followed for the safety of everyone in the neighborhood.

When you’re looking for a contractor, always choose one that is registered and licensed to work in your area. This not only gives them credibility, but it also means that you will be exempted if something goes wrong.