A roof over your head has always been an indication of quality living conditions. The roof of your home is the first layer of protection against external factors like heat, rain, wind, and snow, so it is only natural to want the best workmanship. A good roof is the key to a lasting home.
But how can you tell when your roofing contractor is doing a good job? Residential Roofing services providers have a few specific indicators that can help you recognize quality, starting from the methods down to the materials used. Here is how to inspect a roofing job!
Proper Drip Edge Flashing
One common issue with roofing contractors who take shortcuts is how they install the flashing. To check this, inspect the eaves and gables of your shingle roof. Drip edge flashing is critical for all roofs since it prevents water damage and can prevent pest infestation in the attic.
A drip edge is just a metal flashing between the underlayment and shingles, but it plays a crucial role. If installed properly, it will carry away water from your home and ensure that your gutters function accordingly. Before shingles are laid, your roofing contractor should install the drip edge to prevent water damage.
The Nailing of the Shingles
The best roofers will always secure your roofing and avoid having too much overhang. The edges of your shingles should hang over the roof by about an inch when appropriately fitted.
If there are too many, your shingles might come off. Even a strong breeze can do this. Water can seep through your fascia or rake boards if you don’t have enough shingles leaning or hanging. Both of these issues signify poor craftsmanship.
Rotted Deck Removal
An outdated roof with structural issues cannot be upgraded with new, higher-quality materials. Even if everything functions perfectly and appears in good shape, this will only last a short time. Instead, your roofer should remove the old underlayment before installing the new one.
By thoroughly removing the old underlayment, the contractor can evaluate the condition of your deck. For instance, a deck won’t last for very long if it is wet from water damage or is generally deteriorated. Consider the roof decking as the structure of your roof. Everything erected on the deck will have structural issues if it is compromised, which will lead you to spend more money.
The Roofing Is Even
You do not have to be a professional to see if your roofing is done improperly. Aesthetics also matter in this process. When finished, the roof’s appearance ought to be uniform throughout. Uneven areas on the roof are frequently a sign of shoddy construction. If your roof sags in certain places or your asphalt shingles are not all the same color, the work most likely wasn’t done properly.
Using Proper Materials
Using the incorrect nails to fasten materials together is a typical roofing error. Another is not using enough materials. To increase construction revenues, some contractors cut corners on supplies or buy the incorrect, frequently less expensive variety of nails.
Improper or insufficient amounts of nails will eventually cause damage. They may even void the manufacturer’s guarantee on your roof. This damage can be avoided by having a qualified roofer work on it.
How to Avoid Improper Roof Installation
Now that you know about some details to inspect when a contractor is installing a new roof, let’s also discuss how to find a contractor who will ensure your roof and your home’s safety.
Visit the Job Site
Even if you don’t sign a contract with a potential contractor, you can learn a lot about their work by visiting their job site. By doing this, you can learn the type of materials they use, their work ethic, how they communicate with other clients, and much more. Even if you decide not to hire that specific contractor, at least you’ll know more about the process and what you’re looking for.
Verify Their Experience
You’re spending a lot of money to have your roof installed. You want an expert residential and commercial roofing contractor to do the job. Roofers have honed their craft over time and learned to work with various materials and tools. You want these advantages to work in your favor. Check the contractor’s prior experience and reputation.
The internet, especially social media, can be one of your best resources for gathering information when hiring any service. Since practically all professional contractors in today’s market know how vital PR is, many of them should have at least one social media business account. You might discover a lot about a particular contractor by reading the reviews written by prior clients.