How to Check for Quality after Roof Replacement

Homeowners encounter very costly decisions. Among the most expensive choices they have to make is to replace a home’s roof. Unfortunately, roof replacement can also be a nightmare due to poor craftsmanship.

A qualified and professional roofing contractor ensures that they maintain the beauty and integrity of a home with a satisfactory roof installation. Others engage in rush tasks, which results in multiple future problems that can damage the entire property.

Homeowners may feel unqualified and incompetent to inspect for quality after roofers have done their job. However, we are here to assist and guide you on how to know what a shoddy job looks like. Additionally, we will mention what quality roofing should look like. Let’s dive in and discuss how to spot quality work.

Proper Sheathing

Before replacing a roof, a professional contractor will spare some time to correct the roof’s sheathing. Over time, sheathing may become loose due to failure to nail the entire section of sheathing or due to inadequate nails.

When the sheathing is not correctly nailed, you might notice some unattractive buckles forming in the roof. Loose sheathing can pop out nails. This creates holes that cause the shingles to blow off or crack.

Nail holes potentially lead to leaks. As you inspect for quality work, ensure that the contractor took the time to repair the sheath before they went ahead with re-installing a new roof.

A Clean Job Site

Excellent contractors are professionals. Quality work can also be identified through small details. After the roof has been replaced, the area surrounding the working site should be clean. Good contractors ensure that they leave the landscape intact and clean.

Contractors mostly use cardboard sheets or boards to protect the lawn around the house from abuse. After replacing the roof, they pick up any excess materials and scraps from the yard. A roofing contractor may also bring a dumpster to the site to ensure that no leftovers i.e., shingles, nails, and other harmful materials, are left around the home.

A Proper Underlayment

Contractors should pay keen attention when replacing roofs, especially in winter prone states. A protective underlayment material should be placed in between the shingle and sheath. During winter, snow creates ice dams on the roof. This commonly happens when snow refreezes or melts.

Check if the contractor has the protective underlayment well placed to shield water and ice from forming at the roofline forcing water to flow underneath the shingles.

In some areas, we recommend that houses be covered with two layers of a protective underlayment. In those areas that have a history of ice buildup, we suggest that homes be installed with a unique ice barrier. Failure to do this will lead to roof damage resulting in leaks underneath the roof and on the walls.

Strategically Placed Nails

Replacing a roof is not as simple as nailing very few shingles. We have been in the industry for a long time, and we know that nails should be strategically placed to safeguard shingles from being blown off or becoming loose.

We recommend that shingles be nailed uniquely. A shingle that is not nailed correctly exposes the nails to stain, and eventually, the newly replaced roof starts leaking.

If the contractor was using a pneumatic nail gun, check that each nail is well set to a proper depth. In most cases, nails need to be driven deep using hands. If the nails are well anchored, that’s a quality job.

Well Installed Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used materials for roof replacement While widely used by several contractors, some fail to install the shingles correctly. This can lead to an increase in risks of leakages, cracks, and other costly issues.

Spot small issues like not having enough overlap between the shingle columns. This is not quality work since it can cause significant damage in the future.

One of the most straightforward ways to check for quality roof installation is by observing how the shingles have been aligned. Check if the cutouts on the three-tab shingles are vertical and whether the butted joints are on the same horizontal plane.

Pay Attention to Minor Details

As you continue to check for quality roof installation, we also recommend that you pay attention to the smallest details. Failure to focus attention on the minute details may be the reason for future problems.

Check the flashing that protects the roof from water leaks. When roofing, flashing is used. It’s made of aluminum or steel. Confirm if the contractor installed it around the wall intersections around the skylights and chimneys.

Some roofing contractors may prefer tar or putty instead of flashing. However, this technique can lead to leaks and cracks. As a company, we also advise that you pay attention to the drip edges. The edges are usually made of galvanized steel. Drip edges should extend over the gutter to ensure that water flows smoothly down the roof, gets inside the gutter, and flows away from home.

To ensure that a roof remains in perfect condition even after being replaced, regular inspections should be carried out. A roof is a powerhouse. It’s able to endure winter seasons packed with massive sheets of snow and ice, torrential rains, and burning sun rays.

Are you in need of a roof replacement or roof repair? At KNS Remodeling, we offer professional, high quality roofing services. Contact us today to schedule your estimate.