What To Check After Having a New Roof Installed
Having a new roof installed is a big investment, and once the work is done, you’ll want to ensure your roofing contractor did everything right. After installation, it’s important to check a few key areas to ensure your roof is in top shape. If you check properly, you can catch issues early and protect your home from future damage.
What to Have Checked in a Roof Inspection After Installation
If you’ve just had a new roof installed on your home, you should not just take the roofer’s word that everything is perfect, especially if it’s your first time working with the roofer. You should have a roof inspection after installation. Roof inspections aren’t just completed on old or damaged roofs, they are often completed on brand new roofs too.
Since you may not know what to check after having a new roof installed, having a third party inspect the job can be helpful. The professionals at Elevated Roofing know exactly what to check after having a new roof installed following damage or the end of its natural lifespan. If you call us for a roof inspection after installation, we will check a number of things for you.
As a homeowner, you should immediately check to make sure the roofing company cleaned up their mess. Look around the yard for left over debris, property damage, roofing nails in the driveway, left over tools that could be dangerous to your lawnmower, pets or children.
Unfortunately, some roofers either have lower quality standards or use subcontractors with lower quality standards. In those situations, it’s not unheard of to have left over nails puncture through shoes or tires. “Nails were left in the driveway after a new roof installation,” is among the most common complaints we hear from people using roofers that rush from one job to the next.
When we inspect a home after it’s had a new roof installed, we will check it thoroughly and document our findings carefully. We will check the flashing and sealants, ensure the roof has proper ventilation, make sure the shingles were properly installed and that none were damaged during installation. We will make sure there is no buckling and examine the shingle patten. If you need us to look at your warranty and paperwork, we can do that too.
If we find anything concerning, we’ll provide a full report and explain exactly what needs to be addressed. In many cases, small issues—like improperly nailed shingles, poor flashing alignment, or missed sealant spots—can be corrected quickly before they cause leaks or void your warranty.
Depending on your warranty terms and how cooperative your original roofing contractor is, they may be responsible for completing the repairs to bring your roof up to the required standard. If they aren’t responsive or you prefer to work with a trusted professional, Elevated Roofing can perform the necessary repairs to ensure your roof meets manufacturer and warranty specifications. Our goal is to make sure your roof is safe, properly installed, and fully protected.
Even if your roof looks perfect from the ground, hidden problems can lead to costly damage later. That’s why it’s smart to schedule a post-installation roof inspection with a qualified, third-party contractor like Elevated Roofing. We verify workmanship, document any issues, and help you maintain your warranty coverage and peace of mind.
What’s Included in a Roof Inspection After Installation
If you’re like most people, you don’t think much about your roof. However, it’s important to check a couple of things after your roofing contractor wraps up your new roof installation, including:
• Inspecting the roof’s appearance
• Checking for proper ventilation
• Reviewing the cleanup and debris removal
• Inspecting flashing and sealants
• Verifying the warranty and paperwork
Here’s a closer look at each.
Inspecting the Roof’s Appearance After New Roof Installed
The first thing you’ll notice about your new roof is how it looks. You could take a walk around your home to conduct a roof inspection after installation. You could check for even shingle patterns, consistent color and proper alignment. Most people know that shingles should lie flat and have no gaps or buckling.
This is also a good time to make sure that any special features, like skylights or chimneys, are well-integrated and look seamless with the rest of the roof, but there’s more to those important areas than just looks.
We know how easy it is to go with the first roofing company that comes to your home and offers help — especially if you’ve experienced damage from a hailstorm, tornado or strong winds. So, while we will always urge Texans to be careful who they buy their roofs from, if you are worried that your roof may not be installed properly or that your roofer may have cut corners, contact us. We will be happy to check out the condition of your new roof.
When you work with Elevated Roofing, we’ll talk to you before we begin installation to find out how you want your roof to look. Naturally, we pride ourselves on quality craftsmanship, so we will ensure that you’re happy with the way your new roof looks.
Related: Will your insurance company pay for a roof replacement?
Checking for Proper Ventilation
A well-installed roof includes proper ventilation to allow heat and moisture to escape from your attic. Without good ventilation, your roof could suffer from excess heat buildup, which can shorten the lifespan of your shingles, or moisture, which could lead to mold growth.
You can check ventilation by:
- Look for vents along the roofline and in your attic space. Our roofing professionals will be happy to point them out to you if you’re not sure where to look.
- Make sure nothing is blocking the vents, like insulation or debris.
- Feel for airflow in the attic to confirm proper ventilation.
Good ventilation extends your roof’s life and improves your home’s energy efficiency by keeping your attic’s temperatures stable. If you notice extreme temperatures in your attic after your new roof was installed, contact your roofing contractor. Your ventilation may not have been installed correctly.
Related: How to maintain your gutters
Reviewing Cleanup and Debris Removal
Elevated Roofing will leave your property as clean as it was before we started. After installation, our team will walk around the perimeter of your home and check for leftover debris like nails, shingles and packaging materials. We are very thorough in the cleanup process, and we’ll make sure your yard, driveway and outdoor areas are clear of debris. We’ll also pick up all our tools, equipment and materials, and we won’t do any damage to your landscaping or property.
Unfortunately, not all roofing contractors are as thorough. We’ve heard several horror stories from homeowners who stepped on leftover roof nails or had their tires punctured. We recommend doing a walkthrough to make sure nothing is left over, especially before your children go out to play in the yard.
Inspecting Flashing and Sealants
Flashing and sealants play a key role in keeping your roof watertight. We install flashing around chimneys, vents and other roof penetrations to direct water away from them. We also use sealants to close up small gaps so water can’t sneak in.
We’ll double check all penetrations before we consider your job finished, but you can also inspect the flashing and sealants by:
- Checking around chimneys, vents and skylights to make sure they’re securely in place and don’t have any gaps between them and the roof.
- Ensuring that caulking around roof penetrations is smooth and even.
Verifying the Warranty and Paperwork
After the roof installation, you’ll want to verify that all paperwork, including warranties, is in order.
When we give our clients warranties, they clearly state what’s covered, how long the coverage lasts and what steps you need to take to maintain the warranty. We’ll also go over warranties and other paperwork with you so you know exactly what you’re looking at. Make sure to keep this paperwork in a safe place for future reference.
Understanding the terms of your warranty will give you peace of mind and protect your investment if any issues arise.
FAQ About New Roof Installations
Check out these commonly asked questions about what to do after a new roof installation. If you don’t see your question here, please call our office and we’ll find you the answers you need.
Without proper attic ventilation, heat and moisture can build up. That leads to problems like mold, premature shingle wear and higher energy bills.
Roofing warranties vary, but they typically last between 20 to 50 years for materials and several years for labor. We talk through warranties with all our clients so everyone’s on the same page.
Elevated Roofing is all about roofing inspections, so in our book, it’s always a good idea to schedule a follow-up inspection. This can help catch any issues that might not be immediately visible and ensure your roof is in perfect condition.
If you had your roof installed by another contractor and you’re unsure if it was done correctly, we’re happy to check it in a free roof inspection so you can get a third party opinion.
Ready for a Roof That’s Built to Last?
If you’ve recently had a new roof installed and want to be confident it was done right, contact Elevated Roofing today to schedule your roof inspection.
If you haven’t had your roof repairs or replacement done yet, trust Elevated Roofing to handle your roof installation from start to finish. Our expert team will ensure your new roof is installed perfectly, leaving your home protected and looking great for years to come. Contact us today to schedule your roofing project or get a free roof inspection.
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