Hiring the right contractor is key to a successful roof repair or replacement. This is why you don’t just pick anyone when hiring a roofer. When doing your roofer background checks, call their references and ask their past customers about their workmanship, making sure there are no signs of rookie mistakes. Roof Masters takes a look at some of these.
1. Covering up damaged areas. It’s not uncommon for an unscrupulous roofer to hide their mistakes by using shingles to cover holes in the roof, or painting over components that need to be replaced. They may look great after repairs, but they will lead to greater problems down the line. These cover-ups are often revealed at the first sign of rain or storm. On the other hand, a good roofer will make sure that the roof will be as good as new, not just visually but also functionally.
2. Poor attic ventilation. Proper ventilation system is essential for every roofing system with an attic. You can tell whether an attic is poorly ventilated because the trapped heat and humidity will be noticeable as soon as you step in. If the roof is getting insufficient airflow from a passive ventilation system (exhaust vents at the ridges and intake vents at the soffits), a good roofer will check if the roof has the correct vent sizes, and recommend installing new vents or supplementing them with exhaust fans. A bad roofer would just leave it as it is or, conversely, recommend supplementing perfectly good ones.
3. Poor flashing installation. Flashing are thin pieces of metal that prevent water infiltration in vulnerable areas such as roofing joints. Poorly-installed flashing results in water infiltration, leading to leaks in the areas that they’re supposed to protect. Flashing installation is one of the first skills learned by professional roofers, and poor installation methods can only be attributed to lack of training and know-how.
4. Incorrect use of roofing nails. Inexperienced or untrained roofers often make the mistake of using the same type of fastener on every roofing product. To ensure optimal long-term performance, roofing manufacturers require specific types of fastener or roofing nails per product. In some projects, fastener length can be important. Longer roofing nails are needed for reroofing, but using the same type for standard roof installations can result in splitting due to exposed nails under the roof deck. Also, incorrect nail patterns can make asphalt shingles more vulnerable to wind damage.
Ultimately, the solution is to work with a roofing professional in Beltsville. Roof Masters has years of experience with a team of professional roofers who are dedicated to providing quality workmanship and customer service. Contact us today at (301) 230-7663 to schedule a free consultation.