How to Spot the Signs of a Bad Roofing Job

Having your home’s roof repaired or even completely replaced is not cheap. The last thing you want with a job like that is poor workmanship. A badly fixed or constructed roof can result in even more expensive repairs in the future, including structural damage caused by leaks. Luckily you do not have to be a professional builder to spot an inferior roofing job. Just watch out for any of the following signs.

Missing Roof Underlayment Or Drip Edges

If you notice any signs of mold, leaks, or stains shortly after the work has been carried out, immediately make sure that the drip edges and underlayment are not perhaps missing.

Check beneath the shingles to have a look at the underlayment. It consists of a layer of paper or something similar that gives protection against water damage. Without this, the roof might develop leaks that could drastically reduce its lifespan.

The drip edge consists of a metal sheet directly under the roof’s edge, between the shingles and the underlay. It protrudes over the gutter. If this is missing, or not positioned or attached properly, you can expect expensive damage in the form of rot, mold, stains, sooner or later.

The Contractor Re-Used Old Components

A professional roofing contractor will never re-use existing materials that are rusted or damaged in order to save money.  Code requires that all materials on the re-installation are required to be free from defect.  The reason is simple: this might eventually result in water leaking into the house through weak spots such as roof valleys and/or chimneys, causing extensive damage in the process.

That’s why it’s so important to ensure that good quality components are used.

A Lack Of Symmetry And Uniformity

Once the contractor has completed the job, have a closer look at their workmanship. Specifically check for a lack of uniformity and uneven quality, because both of these could be warning signs that you should expect more bad workmanship. If you notice any of the following, immediately discuss it with the contractor:

– Mismatched materials

– Noticeable variation in the consistency and/or quality of materials

– Shingles that are not the same color or size

– Abnormal slopes in the roofline

Improper Nail Use

Checking this is not as obvious (or as easy) as some of our other tips, but it’s equally important. You might not be aware of this, but not all roofs require the same nail placement. If the nails are spaced too close together or too far apart, or the shingles are nailed too low, the next strong wind or major storm might dislodge the shingles and cause leaks.

Also, watch out for the following warning signs that everything is not quite what it should be:

– Nails that are not flush across the roof surface but sunken too deeply could be a sign of someone aggressively (and unprofessionally) hammering them into the wood.

– Nails that seem to be positioned sporadically instead of being the recommended 2.5cm from edges and cut-outs are often signs of unprofessional workmanship.

Learn more about Residential Roofing Repair

HW Roofing is a commercial and residential roofing contractor serving St. Augustine and Jacksonville, FL. We also provide high-quality roof repair and replacement services. Want to find out more about who we are and what we do? Visit our website, hwcontracting.net or call us at 904.299.8078 to schedule a FREE inspection.