Repairing the roof is one of the most expensive aspects of home maintenance. Unfortunately, this is one area of the house where shoddy workmanship is not uncommon. After spending thousands of dollars, you want your roof to look nice and work the way it should. A roof that isn’t built or repaired well won’t just look bad; it will also cause expensive and many problems in the future, such as structural damage from water leaks and humidity. But how can you tell if your roofers did a good job?
The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert or contractor to spot a poor roofing job. You need to look out for a few key signs. Each will be a dead giveaway as to whether your roofing contractor did a good job or failed to live up to the cost.
Your Roof Includes Drip Edge Flashing
This is a common area where shoddy contractors try to take advantage of the homeowner. Roofing contractors should install drip edge flashing at every edge of your roof. The purpose is to safeguard your home from water damage and to keep pests out of the attic. Drip edges are required for roofing shingles, but most homeowners wouldn’t know whether or not their roofs have them. Most people become aware of the issue only when dealing with leaks or moisture issues.
Look to the gables and eaves if your room has a shingle roof. Each one should have a drip edge. This metal flashing is installed between the shingles and the underlayment. It is critical to carry water away from the house and ensure that gutters function properly. A good roofer always uses a drip edge to seal and protect the roof. It should set the stage for installing the shingles. Some companies also offer custom drip edges that make the edge of your roof even more secure.
Your Roof Looks Even and Uniform in Appearance
Take a good look at your roof after a repair or installation. Most homeowners do not conduct a thorough visual inspection of their roofs after a project is completed. At the end of a roofing project, your roof should be uniform throughout. If your roof looks uneven, it’s a sign that the job wasn’t done well. If your roofline is sagging or your asphalt shingles are not uniform in color, it does not look uniform. Furthermore, your roof should be built with the same materials from start to finish.
The shingles are an important part of the roof and will do all the heavy lifting to keep your home dry. A good roofing contractor will start the installation at the bottom of the roof, go up over the first shingle, and then continue upwards. This makes your roof look uniform and lets your shingles work as they should.
They Use A Quality Underlayment
You should keep this in mind while the roofing is installed. Step in if you notice your roofing company needs to be using underlayment. Every qualified roofer will install underlayment between the sheathing and the home’s shingles. The underlayment is another barrier to prevent moisture or water leaks in your home. It can also help to extend the life of the roof. It is an essential component of any roofing project.
A good underlayment also keeps the roof dry during construction, protecting any wooden roof elements. A skilled roofer will always use a synthetic underlayment of high strength. These synthetic underlayments are approximately forty times more durable than traditional felt-paper underlayments. Moreover, synthetic underlayments do not deteriorate over time and tend to lay flatter than their older counterparts.
They Implement Effective Flashing Practices
Water leaks are the leading cause of home and roof damage. This is why a good roofer always uses much metal flashing around leaky areas like pipes or chimneys. The material should always be placed beneath the shingles rather than on top. In addition, chimneys necessitate both step flashing and counterflashing. A single sheet of metal won’t work.
Poor roofing companies will try to replace metal flashing with roof cement or ineffective caulks. While these sealants may work temporarily, they will not eliminate leaks in the long run. Furthermore, they cannot withstand humid weather and will quickly deteriorate, leaving you to deal with potential leaks. Remember that if your roof edges touch the walls, they should also have kick-out flashing. Kick-out flashing prevents water from entering and running down exterior walls.
Inexperienced roofers may also attempt to reuse flashing materials from previous projects. A responsible and qualified roofing contractor will never reuse flashing materials. They will always replace rusted flashing; if existing units have broken down, they will install new vent pipes. Overall, you’ll know your roofers did an excellent job if they flashed the roof properly and waterproofed the penetrations the first time. This will keep you from having to pay for expensive repairs in the future.
If your roofers also use rodent covers, you’ll know they did a good job. These little guards can keep debris and rodents from getting into pipes and causing damage.
They Leave The Worksite Exactly As They Found It
After your chosen contractor has finished a project, your home and the surrounding area should look as they did before they started. Excellent roofers never leave behind construction debris, empty packages, old shingles, or extra materials. Instead, they will be responsible for their disposal. Many will even bring their dumpster to clean up the construction site as they work. If a company requires you to gather and dispose of these materials, they have not done a good job and may have cut corners in other roof areas.
Roofers should never harm lawns, trees, plants, bushes, or landscaping materials while roofing. This also applies to home siding and windows. Even the best companies sometimes make mistakes, but a good company will always fix them before they become problems. If you find trash or debris left behind or damage to areas of your home, your roofer did not do the good job that they promised.
Essential Tips For Hiring A Minnesota Roofing Contractor
Get References and Check Reputation
One of the first things you should do before hiring a roofing contractor is research their online reputation. Reviews are an effective way to learn about what other people have had with the roofing company. With this information, you can determine how well the company meets its customers’ needs.
A good roofing company in Minnesota should have online reviews from real customers that you can read to find out what it’s like to work with the company. You should also talk to the contractor’s past clients to find out how satisfied they were with the quality of the work and the level of service they received.
Ask About Insurance and Licensing
Another important consideration when selecting a Minnesota roofing contractor is the type and level of insurance they carry. Many homeowners make the mistake of only requiring general liability insurance, the minimum required by law. However, most general liability insurance policies for contractors only cover property damage. If something goes wrong during the project, it will not cover any damage to your home or injuries to you or your family.
As a result, make sure you inquire about the contractor’s insurance coverage to ensure they have adequate coverage to protect you in the event of an accident or injury on your property. You should also ensure that the contractor is licensed to do the work. They may be held liable for any damage or injuries during the project if they are not licensed.
Request a Detailed Estimate and Scope of Work
Before starting any work, you should also get a detailed estimate and scope of work from the contractor, so you know how much the project will cost and how long it will take to finish. This should also list the materials and equipment needed to complete the job. This will help ensure there are no surprises and that everything goes as planned. Remember that every roofing job is different, so getting an estimate that fits your needs is essential.
A Clear Contract with No Hidden Fees
Before hiring a contractor to work on your roof, ensure a clear contract with no hidden fees. This should include an estimate of the project’s cost, a detailed description of the work to be completed, and a completion schedule.
It should also include a written satisfaction guarantee and detailed instructions on contacting the contractor if you have any problems or concerns after completing the job. A good contractor will gladly give you this information upfront, so you know what to expect once the work is completed.
Contact Us Today
Please get in touch with our Minnesota roofing company when you’re ready to schedule a free estimate. We can discuss your roofing needs and give you a detailed, tailored quote for our services, such as roof repair and replacement. To get started, call us at 612-850-6350.