A new roof is always a huge relief. Whether you’re replacing your roof because of age or an emergency, it offers a complete facelift for your home. There’s nothing like knowing you’re protecting your home from the elements. However, roof replacement is expensive, and homeowners deserve excellent quality. For many of us, roofing falls outside of our areas of expertise. We’re unsure what to look for to ensure installation is on track. Here are some tips to confirm you’re getting what you paid for.
How Can I Check The Quality of A New Roof Install?
A few vital elements can tip you off if something’s going wrong with your roof installation. Some are easily visible from the ground, while others take more effort.
- Make sure your roof looks even and uniform instead of patchy. Shingles should be aligned both horizontally and vertically. Make sure your new shingles are the same color and that your contractor didn’t mix and match to save money.
- Look for sagging. If your contractor installs new shingles over existing shingles, the extra weight can cause your roof to sag. It can also indicate a problem with the plywood sheathing underneath the shingles.
- Has your contractor nailed your new shingles properly? Your new roof should have no exposed nails–the top layer should cover the nails on the layer below it.
- Make sure the shingle overhang at the edge of your roof is ½ to ¾ inch. It can cause water to run into your fascia if it’s too short. However, too much overhang makes shingles susceptible to blowing off.
- Well-installed flashing is another sign of a high-quality roof install. Flashing is the metal strips your roofer places on your roof joints and around chimneys and pipes to protect shingles from water runoff. Your roofer should use new material instead of trying to reuse existing flashing.
- Drip edge flashing on the edges of your roof also protects your fascia from water damage. It’s a critical component of a well-installed roof.
- Your roofer should check your roof decking for rot and add replacement cost to their estimate if needed. Putting a new roof over rotted decking can lead to big problems.
How Can I Avoid Problems With My Roof Install?
Your best bet is to make sure you get a great install in the first place. Seek out a qualified and trusted roofing company. Consumer Reports offers some excellent tips for choosing a roofer:
- Your shingle manufacturer often lists vetted contractor partners on their website. These folks know the materials and how to install them.
- Find a roofer working in your community for at least five years. Your contractor should have a healthy list of local recommendations.
- Look for a roofer who is licensed, bonded, and insured.
- Check local and state licenses. Your roofer should be happy to provide them.
- Get bids from at least three companies to compare prices, even if you have a preferred contractor in mind.
Trust The Pros at DryHome with Your New Roof
DryHome Roofing & Siding has been an industry leader in Northern Virginia for nearly four decades. We’re committed to providing our customers with excellent quality work and reliable service. We’re listed with the Better Business Bureau, CertainTeed Corporation, National Roofing Contractors Association, and home services rating companies, including Angi and the EBSCO Best Pick Report. Our commitment to customer satisfaction means we offer extended 12 to 15-year warranties for labor and materials in addition to manufacturers’ warranties. Experience, skill, integrity, and one of the best teams around add up to a job well done.
