As a homeowner, you are responsible for examining your home’s repair and maintenance tasks, right? When you become proactive about these things, you can avoid unnecessary expenses.
You can handle some of these works on your own, while some may require professional help. Roof installation or replacement is a kind of job that generally require experienced professionals.
Unfortunately, not all roofing contractors are experienced enough to handle the problem smoothly. Some roofers install roofing systems improperly, resulting in many serious problems.
However, roofing installation requires a significant investment. If any error occurs, it will degrade the longevity and quality of your roof. Plus, it costs you more. To protect your investment, we will outline these nine warning signs that tell you to replace or install a new roof.
How to If You Have Improper Roof Installation?
1. Water Leakage
Water leakages can occur from several roofing problems. Any sign of water leakage indicates that you have installed the roof improperly. Over time, this leakage problem can devastate your home’s structure and longevity.
When you notice the first sign of water leakage, you must address the problem as soon as possible. Otherwise, this will cause your roof deck to rot, leading to collapse or dangerous breakages.
This will eventually cost you a hefty repair bill. So, when you find any sign of water leaks, contact a professional roofing contractor. He will help you understand the extent of loss and avoid future catastrophic problems.
2. Sagging Rooflines
A well-installed roof will always be straight and smooth in its appearance across the whole surface. That’s why a sagging roofline is easy to find from the ground because when you look at the roof, you will find that the rooflines are not uniform.
This is often an indicator of major structural problems. This means the framing of the rooflines can be problematic, or there could be a roof deck rot. It could also indicate that your roofing contractor failed to find and repair the issues on your old roof and installed a new one.
Decent contractors can be found all over the United States, so before choosing to fix or replace your roof, ask for their suggestions. For example, you get a helpful hint from New Jersey roofer, if you live in the state. They can help you find the best roof for your home through an inspection.
3. Lacking in Uniformity
Your home will likely have a uniform appearance, especially after installing a new roof. When you examine the roof from the ground, it is more probably to look the same from different angles or viewpoints.
However, if you find any difference in its appearance or think the materials are inconsistent, it could cause major concern, as it indicates that the roof installation was not done right.
In addition, dripping or curving in the rooflines and any abnormalities on the surface could also be the result of poor installation. Over time, it could lead to other serious problems, such as water damage or leaks.
So, you need to address the issue immediately to avoid further damage. Hiring an experienced roofing contractor to get the right roof installation will always be a good approach.
4. Damaged, Missing, or Cracked Shingles
Shingles can become damaged or completely removed as they go through regular wear and tear with the passage of time.
Missing or damaged shingles are a sign of a poor roofing job. If you notice that the shingles of your roof come off with just a gust of wind or become loose, it means that your contractor was careless and unprofessional.
When you notice these missing shingles, always get a professional roofer to inspect and fix the issues. The contractor may suggest that you replace the roof, only replace the affected ones, or help them seal manually.
Furthermore, if the shingles are cracked or curled, it indicates that they have reached the end of their lifespan. No matter the cause, most of the time, these problems lead to a roof replacement.
5. Wrong Nailing Techniques
Roofers need to follow certain nailing techniques when it comes to nailing shingles. Poor nailing techniques include overdriven nails due to excessive use of pressure, nails installed in the wrong location, use of rusting nails, etc.
All these signs show that your roofing contractor applied the wrong nailing methods. You can easily spot the poor nailing when you look at the shingles from the ground.
Call a reliable roofing company as early as possible to examine the nails in the shingles and resolve the problems.
6. Roof Stains
Stains on the roof are another indication of improper roofing installation. The stains appear as dark spots, gradually occurring due to problems with your attic. If you notice multiple stains on your roof, contact a professional roofing company immediately to fix the issue.
7. Reused Flashing
When installing a new roof, ensure your roofing contractor uses all new materials. Some bad or inexperienced roofers may reuse old flashing to cut costs, though they know that it violates local building codes’ rules.
Reusing the old flashing leads to leaks and sometimes causes even more dangerous problems. That’s why an expert and reputable roofer never reuses this vital component in a new roof installation. So, it is best to ask your roofer beforehand to use new flashing.
8. Missing Drip Edge
A drip edge is a kind of thin metal sheeting that works as a buffer between the underlayment and shingles of your home. The drip edge is installed to protect the board under the edging.
It also ensures that the structural support of your home remains intact. Plus, it allows you to avoid unnecessary water damage. Without a drip edge, your roof becomes more susceptible to flooding, mold growth, stains, etc.
Some underhanded roofers may avoid installing the edge to a roof. Be sure to ask your roofer to add this drip edge so that you can avoid such damage.
9. Missing Underlayment
Underlayment is a layer of fabric-type material that is installed below the shingles. Using this underlayment during your roofing installation will protect your shingles from the resin by preventing water seepage.
Additionally, it keeps your home free from water by creating a waterproof barrier to prevent leaks, and it also makes the shingles last longer.
If you do not use underlayment in your roof, it will deteriorate your roof far faster than normal. This eventually results in having to replace the entire roofing before it runs through the average roof lifespan.
Again, the improper underlayment installation may cause your roof to look uneven, with high spots and unusual dips. So, make sure to hire a professional expert to install the underlayment properly.
Final Words
Once you have experienced any of these signs mentioned above, you need to take the necessary steps as early as possible. But that does not necessarily mean that you should try to resolve the problem on your own, as that can cause more issues.
Choose a reliable professional roofer and ensure he is worthy enough to fix the issues before you suffer any further damage.
Recommended Posts:
