Homeowners know roof installations are costly investments. Deciding to replace a roof is an expensive choice. While you want to believe that a contractor is qualified for the job, many homeowners have to live with a roofing nightmare.
With a professional and qualified roofing contractor, they ensure that your home and structure retain their beauty and integrity. Along with that, a reputable roofer makes sure that you are satisfied with the installation. If you have talked to a contractor who wants to rush through the project, that could signify an unscrupulous company. These roofers can only guarantee that you will have future problems with your roof.
In many cases, homeowners feel like they don’t have the competency to inspect their roofs after the project. They want to believe that the roofer has done the job correctly. However, you need to take steps to make sure the company has completed a great roof installation. Even if you are researching potential contractors, use this advice to examine the quality levels of their past projects. Let’s look at a few tips to spot a high-quality roofing replacement job.
Fixed The Sheathing
Before starting the replacement, a professional contractor will correct the roof’s sheathing. After a while, that sheathing becomes loose due to inadequate nails. If the sheathing was not initially nailed down correctly, you could have some buckling on the roof. When there is loose sheathing, it can rip out nails from the decking, causing significant problems. You might even have shingles damaged in the process. In addition to that, any nail holes leave the potential for water leakage. When inspecting a roofing job, make sure the contractor took the time to fix the sheathing before adding on a new roof.
Cleaned Up The Job Site
Any great contractor cares about their customers’ properties. They will work hard to keep a professional-looking site during and after the project. When trying to identify quality work, look at those small details. The working area should be clean. Before they leave a property, these crews take the time to clean up all of the materials and debris from the project. There shouldn’t be pieces of flashing on the ground or shingles in the trees.
In many situations, the roofing team uses cardboard or plywood boards to protect the landscape. After the project is finished, the crew picks up excess materials from the yard. Most contractors even have a dumpster at the site, and the team will clean up nails, shingles, and other debris before they leave for the night. There should never be any harmful materials left at a worksite after a roofing project.
Used The Proper Underlayment
If you live in a winter-prone state, your contractor must pay attention to the underlayment. These protective materials are placed between the sheathing and shingles. Ice dams can form on the roof, especially if the snow melts and refreezes. A professional contractor puts the protective underlayment to prevent ice and water from forming at the roofline. This material forces the water to flow underneath the shingles, preventing serious damage. Some contractors will use two layers of underlayment to protect a home. If the contractor fails to add this protective barrier, it can damage the home’s structure.
Placed Nails In The Optimal Spots
It takes a lot of expertise to give customers a sound roof installation. It is not as simple as nailing a few shingles to the roof. The contractor must strategically place these nails on the roof to prevent the shingles from becoming loose or coming off the home. If the shingle is not nailed correctly, it can cause the nail to rust, eventually creating water leaks.
Some contractors use a pneumatic gun to nail the shingles. Make sure the roofers have set the proper depth for these machines. However, many roofing contractors still nail shingles by hand. When these shingles are anchored correctly, it is a sign of a high-quality job.
Installed The Correct Shingles
Asphalt shingles are commonly used in roof installations. While many contractors use these shingles, a few fail to install them correctly on your home. Improperly installed shingles can increase your roof’s chances of cracks and leaks, leading to costly repair bills.
You can easily spot some of those minor problems, like no overlap between the columns of the shingles. If you notice any of these small details, it can lead to significant damage to the roof. You might also want to check the roof by looking at how the shingles are aligned. The cutout on a three-tab shingle should be vertical with the butted joints.
Look For Those Minor Details
You need to pay attention to those small details on the roof. Remember to check the flashing. This vital component will protect the roof from any water leaks. The contractor should use either steel or aluminum flashing. Make sure to examine the chimneys and skylights. A professional contractor will install flashing around those areas.
Some contractors might choose to use putty or tar in place of flashing. This technique is known to cause cracks and leaks. You also want to check out those drip edges. They should be made with galvanized steel and extend over the gutter. If placed improperly, the water will flow towards the home instead of away from it.
With these tips, you can make sure that your contractors are up to the task of performing a high-quality roof installation. Even after the project is finished, you can inspect the roof to make sure that the contractor completed the work according to industry standards. Your roof is a vital part of your home. You can tell if a contractor has performed a sound roof installation with some detective work.
Need The Right Roofer For The Job?
Are you in need of a roof repair or replacement? Make sure to contact RGB Construction. We have been providing high-quality work for many decades. You can count on us for a professionally completed roof installation. If you want to schedule a consultation, please give us a call at 856-264-9093.
