The replacement of a roof is a major undertaking that most homeowners will need to walk through at some point during their time in a home. The roof on a home is designed to provide a homeowner with several decades of reliable protection from the elements. A quality roof also has energy efficiency benefits, protects the home from pest infestation and more. It is clear that you need a quality roof on your structure for many reasons. However, the unfortunate reality is that many homeowners have gone through the time and expense of having a new roof installed only to soon discover that their new roof has failed in some way. There are several primary reasons why a new roof could fail, and understanding these causes can help you to make a better hiring decision when selecting a roofer.
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Low-Quality Installation Work
One of the most significant factors that will affect the quality of your home’s new roof is the quality of the installation work being completed. Improper techniques or shoddy craftsmanship can cause roof failure when even the highest quality materials are used. While hiring experienced roofers is important, it is also important that roofers have experience using the specific products and materials that they are installing. Avoid using a roofer who is unfamiliar with specific products that you want to use or who have recently introduced new product into their line without getting manufacturers’ training on installation techniques. In addition, ask your contractor about the credentials of each roofer who will be working on your home.
Low-Quality Materials or Poor Use of Materials
Many homeowners understandably want to get the best price possible on the installation of their new roof. Roofers who offer low-ball quotes, however, often have the practice of using low-grade materials. Some who use higher-end materials may skimp on the quantity of materials used to save money on the installation. Remember that you get what you pay for with a roof installation project.
Poor Use of Flashing
Flashing is a critical component of any roof installation project. It is generally installed around corners and edges to create a waterproof enclosure. For example, in areas near the chimney, skylights and other areas, there may be natural gaps between the roofing material and the built-in features. Flashing covers these gaps beautifully. However, some roofers will use caulk rather than flashing. Caulk has a very limited lifespan, and you will generally find that your roof has leaks quickly after installation when caulk was used rather than flashing.
Improper Ventilation
Your new roof must be properly ventilated in order to prevent damaging heat and moisture build-up in the summer months and ice dams on the roof during the winter months. The roof system should be installed so that intake features bring fresh air into the attic while exhaust features draw warm, moist air out of the attic. When you are interviewing roofers and reviewing written estimates, pay close attention to this feature. Ask questions about ventilation techniques used to make a more educated decision about which roofer to hire.
As you can see, there are several things that could go wrong with a new roof, and most are entirely preventable. The reality is that the roofer who you select for assistance with the installation project will play a key role in the quality of the roof and its possibilities for failure soon after it has been installed. As you examine credentials and interview roofers for assistance with your roofing project, keep these common roof failure causes in mind.
