Recently, we talked about “Cheap Roofing Estimates” and some of the dangers surrounding the idea of cheap roofing. The problem with getting a cheap quote for roofing is that most costs related to roofing are non-negotiable:
- Material Costs
- Minimum Labor Requirements
These costs are loosely set in stone, unless a roofing contractor chooses to cut corners by using cheaper and lower quality products, hiring unskilled labor, or skipping/cutting corners on critical roofing installation needs.
We are able to save you money (and offer you the lowest cost roofing available) because our roofers work in-house, work efficiently without cutting corners, and make an effort to earn future business in kitchen remodeling, siding, gutter cleaning, bathroom remodeling, and more so that we’re not reliant solely on roofing.
But in general, lower cost frequently means lower quality, because it has to: Because most of the costs that go into roofing are set in stone, and not up to the contractor.
So how do you know if you received cheap roofing (or how do you know if your roofing was lower quality?
Well, first, you can ask. Our team at Christian Construction is in Staten Island, so if you’re in New York City at all, we encourage you to reach out to our team and we’re happy to give your roofing a look over and make sure that it was completed correctly. That’s the easiest way. We can be your second opinion even after your roof was completed to make sure that your roofing was installed correctly. Remember, we’re a Owens Corning Platinum Certified Roofer, which is awarded only to those with the highest degree of excellence.
You can also go up on the roof yourself and see if you notice any flaws. But what if you don’t know much about roofing, or you aren’t comfortable on the roof? Is there anything you can look for on the ground for?
The answer is yes: although it requires paying very close attention.
Let’s talk about what to look out for.
Signs Your Roofing Job Was Not Completed Correctly
One of the challenges with evaluating roofing as a non-expert is many of the problems associated with a poorly installed roof are not visible to the naked eye, or may show up years later. For example, roofing is supposed to last 15 to 25+ years (depending on the type of shingle) but poor quality knockoff roofing may only last 3 to 10. That’s not something that you’ll notice right away.
Still, there are things you can see without necessarily going on your roof. These include, but are not limited to the following.
Clearly Visible Installation Issues
If roofing was very poorly installed, you won’t even need to go on the roof to see it (though a roof that has no visible issues may still have significant problems – as we mentioned, many issues occur beneath the surface or in the quality of the materials). From the ground, if you can see your roof, look for:
- Uneven or Misaligned Shingles
- Shingles of Different Color or Texture
- Exposed Nails Not Flush with Surface
These issues are especially common if the individual hired people that were not experienced roofers, who were tasked with completing the work quickly.
Less Visible Installation Issues
These may be hard to see, and may require a bit of expertise, but there are a few other things you can look for from the ground that may also be a sign of poor installation:
- Rusty or Aged Materials – Any time you get a new roof, every part of it should be new. If you see anything that looks older, like a rusty nail, the company may have re-used older materials to save money, which in turn means that your roof may not last as long.
- Irregular Overhangs at Eaves – Roofing should be uniform, which means proper planning and an attention to detail. If you notice that there were some irregular overhangs at the eaves, then the job may not have been well planned or there may not have been a good attention to detail.
- Gutter Issues – For gutters to work effectively (and to prevent water damage), the water has to perfectly drip into the gutter from the roof. If you see water drip behind the gutter, that may be a sign that the drip edge was improperly installed – which speaks to the quality of the rest of their work as well.
- Debris on the Ground – After the first few rains, there should be few excessive shingle granules in the gutters and downspouts. Some shedding is normal, but too much shedding may mean that defective shingles were used.
The average homeowner may have a difficult time noticing these issues, but pay attention anyway. You may find that there are signs that are noticeable if you know where to look.
Interior Signs of Poor Quality Roof Installation
While they can be very subtle, you do not necessarily need to even look at a roof to notice that there are problems with its installation.
Obviously the biggest sign that there is an issue with the roof will be the presence of a leak. There should be no leaks in the roof at all, so if you even suspect water damage (for example, there are signs of ceiling or wall staining) then you should immediately contact your roofer, or call us about roof repair.
Still, there can be other signs of a roofing problem as well. Keep in mind that none of these guarantee a roofing problem, so you shouldn’t necessarily be upset until you’ve had a chance to verify the issues, but they can be a sign that something is wrong. These include:
- New Mold or Musty Smells – If you have brand new odors in your property that indicate damage, like a musty smell in the attic, that may be a sign there is unseen water leakage that could be from a roofing problem.
- New Bugs, Even With Pest Control – If there are openings in the roof that were not properly covered, small insects may be able to get inside, and their entrance points (through the roof) are typically not part of a standard pest control service, so you are more likely to see them inside of your home.
- No Energy Efficiency Improvement – This is a tough one, because not all roofing will improve energy efficiency if your previous roofing was decent. But watch your energy bills after your new roofing and see if there’s a difference. If your last roof was old, and you got more energy efficient roofing, then you should notice a drop in your energy use. If no drop occurred – or worse, it’s increasing – then that can be a sign of leaks.
- Louder Noises – Depending on the type of roofing you installed, you should expect no difference in noise (or even a noise improvement). If things seem “louder,” like you can hear rain more or you hear animals on the roof, that may be a sign of poor installation. However, note that this does depend on the roofing you chose and what your previous roofing was.
Each of these is something you may notice from inside of your property, without even needing to step foot outside.
What to Do Next
If you suspect that someone did not install your roof correctly, don’t give up hope. You don’t even have to assume the worst.
First, you can call the roofer. Let them know your concerns and ask them if they can look into it. We also encourage you to give us a call. We can go provide a second opinion on any roof installation in NYC, and maybe even fix the problem ourselves depending on what the issue was. We are an industry certified roofer, so we have the experience needed to handle any project in Staten Island and beyond.
You should also make sure to document all the issues. Make sure that you have record of everything that you suspected, when you noticed it, and who you contacted. This can help you with any warranty or legal issue.
If you do think something was completed incorrectly, the sooner you respond, the better. Pay attention to these issues early and often, and give us a call if you need help.
