5 ways to determine if your roofing contractor did a good job. There’s no denying the fact that roof repairs are one of the costliest aspects of a home. What makes it even more challenging is that your roof is one area where you cannot get away with poor-quality workmanship. After making a significant investment in getting a new roof, you expect it to look stunning and perform optimally for years to come.
Not only will an improperly repaired or poorly installed roof stick out like a sore thumb, but it will also result in numerous roofing issues and costly repairs down the road including roof leaks, moisture-related problems, and structural problems.
So, is it possible to ascertain if your roofing contractor has done a good job? Luckily, spotting a mediocre roofing job is easier than you might think even if you’re an inexperienced homeowner. There are some telltale signs that can tell you straight away if roofers have done a perfect job or they failed miserably. Let’s take a look.
1. Drip Edge Flashing
This is one of the areas where some roofers don’t hesitate to make mistakes mainly because this may not be visible to naïve homeowners. Drip edge flashing is installed at your roof’s edges. Its function is to protect your roof and home from water damage as well as prevent pest infestations in your attic.
Drip edges are a necessity if you have a shingle roof, but many homeowners couldn’t tell if there’s a drip edge installed on their roofs. Most homeowners realize it only when they start experiencing roof leaks and moisture-related issues several months after the installation.
So, if you have a shingle roof, take a closer look at your eaves and gables. Ideally, there should be a drip edge on each of these. Made of metal, drip edge flashing is installed between the underlayment and shingles. A properly working drip edge flashing ensures that water stays away from your home and your gutters keep working properly. Experienced and qualified roofers always install a drip edge to seal your roof for watertight protection. It creates perfect conditions for the installation of your roofing shingles.
2. Roof Have Uniform and Even Look
After the completion of your roofing project, try to visually inspect your roof. Ideally, your roofing surface should look properly leveled and uniform at each point. A non-uniform appearance is usually a sign of a shoddy roofing job. A sagging roof or inconsistent colors of asphalt shingles means that your roof is not uniform. In addition, make sure that your contactor uses the same material on your entire roof.
The shingles are the key elements of a roof and are the first line of defense against water infiltration. An experienced roofing contractor always starts the installation of shingles from the bottom of the roof and then moves up to achieve a perfectly uniform appearance.
3. Quality of Underlayment
The right time to check the quality of your underlayment is when your roof is being installed. All qualified and experienced roofers make sure to install a sturdy underlayment between the shingles and sheathing of your home. A solid underlayment serves as an additional protective layer against water intrusion. It can also help improve the longevity and performance of your roof.
Additionally, high-quality underlayment can help keep your roofing system dry at the time of your roofing installation, providing efficient protection to the wooden elements of your roof. An experienced roofing contractor will always install a strong and sturdy synthetic underlayment. Synthetic options are about forty times sturdier than traditional underlayment options like felt-paper.
4. Effective Flashing Implementation
Roof leaks are the most common cause of roof and home damage. That’s why any well-established roofing contractor always uses adequate metal flashing at all the areas prone to moisture damage such as chimneys and pipes.
Ideally, the flashing should be installed underneath the shingles. In the case of chimneys, you need both counters flashing and step flashing for optimum protection. Unfortunately, incompetent companies always try to use cheap roof cement or poor-quality caulks instead of metal flashing just to save some money.
These cheap flashings cannot withstand extreme weather conditions and may start deteriorating sooner than you think. Another thing to remember if the edges of your roof are touching the walls is to install a kick-out flashing. It can help prevent water from entering your home. A reputable roofing contractor never re-uses any old flashing. They make sure to replace old and worn-out flashing with brand new, more durable ones for long-lasting results and optimum weather protection.
5. Cleaning Up After a Roofing Project
After the completion of your project, your home and its surroundings should look exactly like they did before your project started. Responsible roofers make sure to clean every bit of debris, old shingles, supplies, and empty packages from the premises. Additionally, they responsibly dispose of this waste in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
As a team of experienced roofers, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve your dream roof right within your budget. For more information, call Watkins Construction & Roofing at 601-966-8233 and get started on a COMPLIMENTARY consultation today in Jackson, Byram, Madison, and Flowood MS.