Having your old roof replaced with a new one gives you peace of mind and enjoyment. You’re relieved since you won’t have to be concerned about unforeseen leaks that could cause havoc in your home. The knowledge that the roof’s structural integrity is superb and that severe winds and rains would not sweep it away gives you peace of mind. That’s why, even if you use a professional roofer, you should have a roof inspection after the roofing project is completed.
However, while 95% of roofers do all possible to create structurally and aesthetically sound roofs, a minority percentage of roofing contractors speed the work. These typically result in low-quality roofing systems that are unable to withstand the harsh effects of Mother Nature for an extended period.
Roof inspections are an important part of roof installation. A roof inspection is a visual examination that assesses the roof for any issues or defects. This roof inspection will help you identify any problems with your roof so you can take action before it’s too late!
What a Roof Inspection After Installation Involves?
Roof inspectors do more than inspect your roof’s physical and structural integrity. They delve further to find hidden problems, including minor tears, wear potential leaks, and improperly built roofs. All of the following duties will be performed by the roof inspector you hire.
- Check the Structure of your roof—Roof inspectors will completely and analytically assess your roof for symptoms of poor structural integrity, such as drooping and weak fascia, gutter systems, roof deck, and soffit. Damaged caps, fissures, and deteriorating grout will be thoroughly examined in the masonry chimneys. Some inspectors will also look at the attic venting to check for any issues with the roofing installation.
- Examine the materials—untrained roofers may not correctly install roofing sheets or asphalt roof shingles. They’ll probably overlap some of them, which could result in water leaks and poor structural integrity. To ensure they are properly installed, roof inspectors will inspect the asphalt shingles, metal sheets, seals, and rubber boots.
- Inspect the interior—Roofing inspectors will thoroughly evaluate the interior of your home to look for any badly fitted ceilings, attic, or lose shingles.
Why Should You Get Roof Inspection After new Roof Installation?
Homeowners want to know that their roofs are structurally sound, aesthetically pleasing, and well-built. These are what specialists look for during a roof inspection after the new roof installation to let you know if your roof needs any repairs. Here are some of the reasons why you should inspect newly constructed roofs.
Damages By Foot Traffic
Foot traffic is one of the most common causes of damage to newly built roofs. The structural integrity of a tile, metal, asphalt, or fiberglass shingle roof is jeopardized by walking on it. In addition, most roofing materials aren’t strong enough to withstand the weight of a hefty object. As a result, these roofing materials are prone to be damaged when installers step on them.
Roof damage is difficult to detect by the average homeowner. However, a trained and licensed roof inspector will know how to do the inspection, evaluating every portion of your roof for any problems that need to be addressed right away.
Poor Sealing and Flashing
Poor flashing and sealing is another major source of damage in newly constructed roofs. Many novice roofers are unaware of properly flashing various roofing systems to efficiently move water away from all vulnerable places. They also don’t know how to install the chimney edges properly. So that water is diverted away from the interior of your home.
While installing satellite dishes, inexperienced satellite dish installers frequently drill through the new shingles, affecting the flashing. Flashing is undoubtedly one of the most critical features that your roof should have if it is to remain robust and in good condition. Therefore, it is very recommended that you hire a roofing inspector to inspect your roof anytime anything is added to it.
After installation, inspecting the roofs for problems will allow you to see if any difficulties require immediate attention, allowing you to address them as soon as feasible.
Poor Installations Blocking the Flow Patterns
In today’s roofs, holes aren’t the main source of leaking. However, poor installations can obstruct flow patterns, affecting water flow. One of the reasons we have chimney crickets, which regulate water flow and prevent leaks, is this. If you detect water leaks in your home soon after the satellite installation technician or plumber leaves, you should hire a roof inspector.
Other issues, such as loose or improperly installed gutter systems, will obstruct the smooth flow of water, resulting in leaks. Finally, when it comes to metal roofing, if roofing nails or screws are used on the slanting areas, there’s a good probability you’ll get leaks. That indicates that numerous concerns could cause an inappropriate water flow, resulting in water leaks and holes.
How Can You Be Sure Your New Roof Was Installed Correctly?
Shingles should be equally put to all parts of a roof. The existing shingles were not accurately laid if they were not aligned vertically by their slots or horizontally over the roof.
Make a visual assessment of your roof at least once a year. Your roof should have a consistent appearance throughout. Some symptoms of faulty roofing work are easier to identify than others, and one of them is an uneven appearance.
How to Avoid a Bad Roof Installation
Doing your homework is the first step in avoiding a poor roof installation. You can better prepare yourself or homeowners you know to make better roofing investments now that you know what to look for.
Here are some pointers to ensure that the contractor you hire will leave your roof in better shape than when they arrived.
- Request to see certifications
Roofing contractors should have a variety of licenses and certifications to demonstrate that they are legitimate. Before signing any contracts, request copies of these documents from your roofing contractor.
- Examine social media and third-party websites.
While not a foolproof research technique, you may make an educated guess about a roofing company’s quality of work by glancing at their Facebook page. While looking at photographs and reading customer reviews on social media is a good start, take it a step further. Unbiased evaluations from real consumers can be found on third-party websites like Angie’s List, Home Advisor, and the Better Business Bureau.
- Localize your search
Ask your neighbors for recommendations while looking for a roofing contractor. Contractors that work in the area are conversant with the local codes and regulations. Furthermore, local contractors specialize in a specific sector and work hard to maintain a positive reputation. Several local company owners live in the neighborhood! Working with a local contractor also provides a prompt response in the event of an emergency.
- Call dependable roofing experts to save all the headaches
Starting with a great roofing contractor is the greatest approach to avoid a disastrous roof installation. Look for a reputable roof installation near you like ours. TCI Manhattan has been doing roofing, siding, and interior work throughout Manhattan for 20 years. We use the most dependable products on the market to finish the work, in addition to our experience. Please get in touch with us to learn more about our reputation and how we can help you locate the ideal roofing solution for your property.
What Should I Expect From a Roof Inspection?
A roof inspector will search for leaks, unusual wear and tear, windblown debris damage, organic growth concerns, and difficulties that may have arisen during the asphalt shingle installation or subsequent repairs. A roof examination is ultimately divided into four areas: construction, materials, interiors, and craftsmanship.
- Structural Inspection: The inspector will look for uneven roof planes and evidence of sagging, as well as the condition of the soffit, fascia, and gutter system. At this time, masonry chimneys should be checked for cracks, disintegrating grout, and damage to chimney caps. The inspector may also assess the venting in your attic; poor venting can result in excessive heat and mold growth.
- Material Inspection: The inspector will search for loose, missing, or curling shingles, stains, moss, rust, and missing flashing or fasteners during the material inspection. Shingle aggregate in roof valleys or on the ground at the bottom of gutter downspouts is an indication that the roof is nearing the end of its useful life. The inspector will also search for holes or deterioration in the rubber boots and seals around vent pipes.
- Interior Inspection: Because roof leaks eventually cause damage to your home, the inspector will look for water stains, mold, rot, and other evidence that water is getting into your home in the interior ceilings, attic, and internal walls.
- Workmanship Inspection: A complete inspection will be performed on your roof to look for any defects in workmanship that could lead to future leaks or roof damage. A major red flag would be inadequate flashing around roof penetrations, such as vent pipes, skylights, and chimneys.
Conclusion
It is impossible to overestimate the importance of licensed and qualified roof inspectors. These professionals’ services are required on a nearly daily basis. A roof inspector is required not just when a roof is installed, but also when you want to know how long your roof will last.
Working with a skilled and competent roofing contractor should always be your first priority. That way, you won’t have to be concerned about improperly installed roofing systems requiring replacement or repair a few days after the initial installation. In addition, hire qualified roofing inspectors to assess the condition and value of your roof on a regular basis.