As a homeowner, you take on the responsibility for the repair and maintenance of your home. By being proactive about these things, you’ll maximize the comfort of your home and avoid serious expenses from structural failures down the line. While some maintenance and repair projects are small and can be handled as a DIY project over the weekend, others require some professional input. Roofing replacements and installations are some of the jobs that need an experienced professional. Unfortunately, not all roofing professionals have the experience you need to achieve a beautiful new roof. Sometimes, roofing contractors install roofing systems incorrectly, causing an array of problems. To safeguard your investment, here are 10 signs of a bad roofing job and how to avoid it.
10 Signs of a Bad Roofing Job
Getting a roof replacement is a big investment. You’d expect that paying for such a large project means that you’re going to get outstanding workmanship. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Before finalizing any payment or roofing project, make sure you check for common signs that indicate a bad roofing job.
1. Sagging Rooflines
If you look up at your home’s roof and notice that the rooflines aren’t uniform and are instead, sagging, you’ve got a problem. Sagging rooflines are easy to spot from the ground as a properly installed roof will always be completely straight and even in appearance. If you notice there are areas that present sagging, the framing could be problematic or there could be roof deck rot. This means that your roofing contractor didn’t take the necessary steps to pretreat and assess your old roof prior to starting a new installation. Call an experienced roofing contractor for an inspection to avoid further damages.
2. Damaged or Missing Shingles
With time and severe weather, shingles can become damaged or even completely removed. This is fairly common and is an easy repair. However, damaged or missing shingles come with time and general wear-and-tear and should not be present immediately following a roofing job. Missing shingles immediately following an install means that your roofing contractor was unprofessional, lazy, or careless.
If you notice that your roof’s shingles come off easily during a minor storm while your neighbor’s roofs remain intact, you likely had a bad roofing job. Get a professional roof inspection to further understand the cause.
3. Mismatched Shingles
In addition to easily damaged shingles, do a visual check to see that all of the shingles on your newly installed roof are the same color. Mismatched shingles are one of the easiest ways to spot a bad roofing job so don’t be afraid to speak up.
4. Lack of Uniformity
Following a new roof installation or roof replacement, your home should have a very uniform appearance. You can examine your roof from the ground from different angles. If your roof looks different from both sides or viewpoints, you underwent a bad roofing job. If the materials look inconsistent or there are any curving or dipping rooflines, there could be a defect in the installation.
5. Reused Flashing
If you’re getting a new roof installation, you should be getting all new materials. Bad roofing contractors often reuse old flashing to cut costs, despite it being a clear violation of code. Reusing flashing can be dangerous and will inevitably lead to leaks. Flashing should never be reused, and expert roofing contractors are well aware of this.
6. Water Leakage
Leaks can occur from several different roofing problems and can be devastating to the longevity and structure of your home. If you notice any signs of water leakage, you likely encountered a bad roofing job. Over time, this leakage can cause the roof deck to rot, which can lead to dangerous breakages or collapse. At the first sign of water leakage, make sure that you call a professional roofing contractor like First Star Exteriors to better understand the extent of the damage and avoid catastrophic problems.
7. Roof Stains
Another clear indication that you have a bad roofing job is the presence of roof stains. While this can happen gradually over the years, it’s likely because there’s a problem with your attic. These appear as dark black stains and are due to varying reasons. If you have multiple spots across the entire roofing surface, you’ll likely need to install a brand-new roof to avoid further problems.
8. Missing Drip Edge
A drip edge is the term for the metal sheeting that’s installed on your roof to protect the board that’s below the edging. Good roofing contractors install a drip edge between the shingles and the underlayment to ensure that your home’s structural support stays intact, and you avoid unnecessary water damage. If your roofing contractors did not install a drip edge, your roof will be more susceptible to mold growth, flooding, stains, and even soil erosion around the base of your home.
9. Missing Underlayment
Roofing underlayment is necessary to ensure that your home stays water-free. Underlayment helps to create waterproofing for your roofing system so that shingles work efficiently, and roof leaks are avoided. Without an underlayment, your roof will deteriorate far faster than if one were present, which means you’ll need to replace the roofing system before the average lifespan of your roof is up.
10. Wrong Nailing Technique
There are certain methods that need to be used when nailing in your shingles. If you notice any signs of bad nailing techniques, it could lead to problems down the line. Wrong nail techniques include overdriven nails caused by excessive use of pressure, nails that are susceptible to corrosion, or nails that were installed in the wrong location altogether. If you suspect that your roofing company used the wrong nail technique, call First Star Exteriors for a roofing inspection today.
How to Avoid a Bad Roofing Contractor
Getting a roof replacement is no small repair. They can be costly and time consuming, often causing homeowners to put it off for as long as possible. However, getting a roof replacement in a timely manner is essential to protecting the structural integrity of your home. When the time comes, you want to make sure that the roofing contractors you hire will perform a good roofing job. To avoid ending up with a bad roof replacement or installation, make sure that you work with a reputable company.
Check Licensing and Insurance
Never hire roofing contractors that don’t hold the proper licensing and insurance. Before they begin work, make sure that you check these certifications and if they give you a reason that they can’t show you, turn the other way. First Star Exteriors is a fully licensed, insured, and professional roofing company dedicated to providing our clients with the highest quality and outstanding customer service.
Ask for References
Reputable roofing companies should have online reviews that are visible to the public. If you want a more personalized review of their work, ask for references. Finding a referral from someone you trust is a good way to ensure that you’ll avoid a bad roofing job.
Review Past Projects
In today’s world, almost every business has an operating website. While good websites aren’t synonymous with good roofing contractors, you should be able to see pictures of past projects to get an understanding of their experience and skill level. Take the time to look through these and if there’s insufficient information, they may not be experienced enough to handle the job.
Consider Experience Levels
A brand-new company might employ roofing contractors who are fresh in the trade. Look for a roofing company that has at least 10 years of experience if you want to be absolutely sure that you’re going to get exceptional results.
If you’re in need of a new roof, talk to the professional roofing contractors at First Star Exteriors. We have over 10 years of experience and specialize in roof, siding, and gutter installation and repair. We employ experienced crews and seasoned supervisors so that you’ll never be left with a bad roofing job. We have a variety of roofing materials to help you achieve the aesthetics you want with affordability you can manage.
When looking for a reputable roofing installation company, contact First Star Exteriors. We believe there’s a perfect balance between hands-on, personable treatment, quality of work, and speed of delivery. We take the time to understand your needs and communicate effectively from the first quote to the last nail being placed. To learn more about our roofing options or to get a quote from us today within 48 hours, contact us at (479) 267-4800 or fill out our contact form here.
