How To Evaluate A Roof For Problems
Of all the elements of a residential dwelling or commercial building, the roof and its various components are probably the most important structural features that keep you, your family, employees or customers safe from the weather and comfortable year-round. Roofs and their underlining portions, provide the first line of defense to wind and weather events. They need resurfacing of course every number of years, even if properly maintained and initially installed correctly. But what about poorly constructed and poorly installed roofs, that have initial problems, that get resolved by the installer, but over time reveal weaknesses that should not have taken place. How, to the untrained eye, can one identify these issues and ensure that the next roofing contractor hired will properly install the new replacement roof, use preferred materials and be around if something were to develop to correct any mistakes or errors.
So, when it is time to get your roof replaced, it is important that you choose a competent, licensed and experienced roofing contractor to install, to industry standards, and not take short cuts. Unfortunately, a homeowner or businessman can only do so much to vet a roofing professional before allowing them to work on their property. Once the replacement roof is completed, it is important to know whether your chosen roofing contractor has fallen short, or that the roof was properly installed.
Here are a number of signs of a bad roof installation and what can be done about them.
SAGGING OR UNEVEN ROOFLINE
One of the simplest ways to identify a poorly installed roof is to conduct a visual inspection and to know what to look for. Just by standing outside your home or business and looking up at your roof from the ground, you can detect certain problems your roof might be experiencing.
First, does the roof line appear to sag, or does the roof line look somewhat off? A properly installed roof will always look straight and even.
A sagging roof line could indicate that the roofer did not properly treat the old roof. The underlining structure might have had rotten wood that needed to be replaced or a compromised shelf that in parts is not structurally sound and needed to be remediated.
MISSING SHINGLES
If the roofing contractor did their job correctly, there should not be any missing, loose, cracked or warped asphalt shingles on any part of your roof. If you see any of these conditions, immediately after the new roof has been installed, it means the roofer was careless with their work. Similarly, you need to inspect your roof after any rain storms, or high wind events. If any shingles come off, while your neighbors’ roof remains intact, this could indicate a poor installation.
WATER INFILTRATION
Leaks that spring up from various roofing issues should be repaired as soon as possible by the roofer. Any water leakage around pipes, skylights, chimneys etc. can be devastating to the structure of your home or commercial building. Water leaks will also shorten your roofs lifespan and can cause considerable damage to the underlining structure. We suggest if you have an attic to go into it during or immediately after a rain storm and look for signs of any dampness or water intrusion. Even a missing drip edge, that metal sheet that protects the board under the edge of your roof, can also cause water infiltration. Drip edges are located between the shingles and underlayment. When properly installed, they extend over the edge of the roof and gutters. A missing drip edge can have bad results, creating mold, wall stains, and soil erosion along the foundation of your home or building. If your drip edge isn’t visible, you need to check to see if other items are missing, like roof flashing, decking, seals around vents, or underlayment. All of these elements are crucial to your home or commercial businesses roofing system. Omitting them during a new roof replacement can lead to major problems down the road.
Why Choose Sunrise Roofing Company?
If you notice any of these issues after a new roof installation, it is very important to take immediate action right away. A poorly installed roof or one with underlying structural defects can not only reduce energy efficiency but can be a major safety hazard. It can create many dangerous issues including risk of collapse, water intrusion, invite rodents and even present a safety and fire issue if electrical components become involved.
When vetting a potential roofer make sure they are licensed, insured, experienced, have references and reviews posted of their recently completed work. Don’t be afraid to ask for these credentials and if not presented, run away as fast as you can.
Sunrise Roofing has over 25 years-experience as a general contractor and a roofing contractor. We specialize in all types of residential roofs and commercial roofs. Asphalt Shingle, Tile, Metal and commercial applications. Protect yourself and your pocket book as roofs are an essential and expensive element of any structure.
Give us a call for a free, no-obligation inspection of your roof and we will provide you a written estimate of the work to be performed. We service all of Duval and surrounding counties and specialize in projects close to the ocean and the beaches. Call us today at 904-323-1929.
