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You often complain about pesky roof leaks and recognize
telltale signs such as water stains on your walls and ceiling.
Upon inspection, you find out that the leaks came from your
skylights and chimney. Then you recall that your previous roofer
reused old flashing during your roof replacement. Keep in mind
that you must use roof flashing only once. If you decide to
replace your roof, consider new flashing as well. A piece of
flashing that looks fine doesn’t mean it truly is. Holes and
punctures are sometimes hard to spot.
5. Rotted roof decking
If you ever decide to replace your roof, your roofing
contractor must strip off the old material before adding the new
one in place. A complete tear-off allows roofers to check for
decking problems. Rotted plywood won’t be able to hold nails
and shingles in place. If your roof deck is moist and generally in
bad shape, it won’t be long before it breaks.
How to Avoid Unscrupulous Roofing Contractors
By now, you probably know how to tell if roofers did a good job based
on the signs we discussed earlier. The best way to avoid workmanship-related
roofing issues is to hire a qualified company. Here are five tips to help you
select the best one.
1. Hire a local roofing company.
Choose a local contractor. Local residents may have
worked with your prospective roofer. Going local also ensures
that a company knows and complies with local building
requirements.
2. Ask them to show you paperwork.
Good companies carry certifications, licenses, and
necessary paperwork to prove that they are worth your while. If
you ask them to provide you copies, they will be more than
willing to do so. Unlicensed people are scared to get caught and
will do anything to hide their lack of credentials.
3. Check their business address.
Another way to find out if a roofing company is legit is to
visit the address they provide. They should have a permanent
physical office. Aside from the business address, check if they
have a phone number that you can call anytime.
4. Look at their previous projects.
Contractors that care about their reputation value
documentation. They take pictures and video clips of their
roofing projects. Make sure that you check these projects on
their website. Some roofers will even provide a list of clients that
you can call up to ask for feedback.
5. Remember that the lowest price isn’t always the best.
Watch out for possible signs of a bad roofer such as a low
bid. Unscrupulous roofers entice homeowners with bids that are
too low. Once you sign the contract, along the way, the costs
start to go up. Bad roofers may tell you that they discovered

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