Home maintenance carries many aspects, and roof installment is undoubtedly among the most expensive. According to experts at Bravo Roofing, roofing is considerably costly because it covers other vital aspects of your home, further raising its importance.
But besides all the roles your roof plays, shoddy workmanship is closely associated with roofing, probably because most homeowners can’t tell whether the roofer has done a good or bad job. Meanwhile, the roof is often out of sight, and someone might take leverage on this to offer shoddy work.
With these factors, it’s your primary duty as a homeowner to make sure your roofer does an excellent job. This can save you from future problems, including water damage to the underlying structure from roof leaks or extra expenditure on further roof work.
Here are things you should look at to determine whether your roofer has done a good job.
Is the roof uniform?
You can spot the majority of poor roofing easily by taking time and looking at it. From afar, aspects of poor roofing are pretty visible, especially after a significant storm strikes.
The critical aspect is your roof’s uniformity. After your roofer has completed their task, look at it thoroughly, observing its overall layout. Unfortunately, most homeowners assume this part, and once their roofer is done working, they leave everything to chance.
During your visual inspection, ensure the entire roof looks uniform. The unevenness suggests that the roofing is likely poor and needs retouching. Also, watch out for sagging rooflines or unevenly installed asphalt shingles, typical of a badly placed roof.
Shingles are centers of focus on your roof and often carry quite some burden keeping moisture to its minimum. A good roofer should start installations from roof bottom moving up to starter shingles to ensure their uniformity. Besides creating uniformity, this strategy allows shingles to work effectively.
The flashing is effective
The primary purpose of your roof is to protect underlying components from external elements, especially water and moisture. Experts say water leaks amount to relatively costly home damage. Good roofers know this and install enough metal flashing at areas typically prone to leaks, such as chimneys and pipes. In addition, these materials should rather sit under the shingles than above, and for chimneys, roofers should use counter flashing and step flashing.
A lousy roofing company will often substitute metal flashing with ineffective caulks or cement. Although they work just as fine, they won’t last long. And when exposed to extreme moisture, they tend to break under the weight, attracting leaks pretty fast. A good roofer should also incorporate kick-out flashing on roofs whose edges touch walls. Kick-out flashing prevents water from sipping through and running down the exterior walls. But above all, ensure your roofer does not apply old, inefficient flashing material gotten from their previous roofing projects.
Good roofers should use quality underlayment
It’s worth taking time and assessing your underlayments when roofing progresses. Some roofing companies may neglect the underlayment altogether, raising significant concerns. Your roofer should install this component between the shingles and the sheathing for your roof to function effectively. They prevent water leaks and moisture from reaching vital underlying components and causing damage. And statistically, it extends your roof’s lifespan, making it a crucial component.
A good underlayment also ensures the roof stays dry during its installation, keeping its wooden elements safe from water and moisture. These underlayments are often made from high-strength synthetic materials and are 40 times stronger than the usual felt-paper ones.
Use of drip edge flashing
Shoddy roofers would often try to capitalize on this one. Every roofing project should incorporate a drip edge flashing, a component installed at all your roof edges. Efficient drip edge flashing keeps pests away from your attic and reduces water and moisture damage. While these components are mandatory to support your roofing shingle, it’s often hard to tell whether your roofer has applied them. Statistically, most homeowners only spot a missing drip edge flashing when moisture and water start sipping through vital components.
Drip edge flashing is usually featured at the eaves and gables for roofs with shingles. They are metal flashing connecting the underlayment to the shingles and drains water from your home, ensuring a properly functioning gutter. Given the importance of their application, a good roofer should never forget to incorporate drip edge flashing when sealing and protecting your roof. They precede shingles, setting the stage for their installations. And depending on the company selling them, you can have them in customized form, with advanced functionality.
