In a region like Texarkana, homeowners are no strangers to what storms can do. KSLA reports that many local families are still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, and for many, that includes new roof installation.
A new roof is no small investment, both in money and time. Should you know what to check after having a new roof installed? The answer is yes.
Today, we’re going to talk about what to include in your post-roof installation check and why it matters. Read on to learn how to make sure that your roofers did an exceptional job installing your new Texarkana roof.
Pre-Roof Installation Tips: Start With Reliable Roofers
One of the best ways you can ensure that you end up with a great finished product is by hiring reliable roofers. Here are some of the top qualities to look for before you sign any contracts.
Local Experience
First and foremost, always hire a company with years of local experience. At Near Me Roofing, we’re more than familiar with the extreme weather patterns here in Texarkana, TX. We can advise homeowners on the best materials to use to stand up to the heat, wind, and heavy rainfall.
Licensing and Insurance
Never hire a roofing company that hasn’t met the bare minimum of qualifying for a Texas roofing license or securing business insurance. Licensing and insurance are designed to protect both the company and the consumer. For example, if an uninsured roofer damages your property during a roof installation, the cost of repairs may fall on the homeowner.
Useful Warranties
Finally, always inquire about the warranties a company will provide. The first should be a material or manufacturer’s warranty, which provides coverage for materials that were damaged before installation. The second should be a workmanship warranty, which provides coverage for damage caused by improper installation.
What to Check After Having a New Roof Installed: Perform a Visual Inspection
You should perform a visual inspection as soon as your roofers complete your new roof installation. Take a look at what to check after having a new roof installed that you should be able to detect visually.
Shingle Consistency
Walk around your property and inspect your shingles. Make sure that they look:
- Straight and uniform
- Spaced evenly
- Parallel with the eaves
This is also a good opportunity to make sure that the colors of your shingles are consistent across the entire roof.
Proper Flashing Installation
To inspect your flashing up close, you may need to get on the roof. Always do so with care, and make sure that:
- Flashing is aligned with edges, eaves, and features like chimneys
- Step flashing pieces overlap each other by at least two inches
- Flashing is secured with nails or screws and sealed with roofing cement or sealant
Pay close attention to valleys, chimneys, and vents, which can present unique installation challenges that qualified roofers should be able to meet.
Construction Debris
Finally, take a close look around your yard before allowing pets or children to play outside. Make sure your roofing contractor has cleaned up all construction debris, including small pieces like roofing nails and discarded shingles. No reputable roofer will expect you to clean up construction debris on your own.
New Roof Inspection Tips: Verify Functionality
Not all aspects of roof installation can be verified with a quick visual inspection. Here are a few ways that you can make sure your roof is functionally sound and doesn’t require any additional work.
Check Your Attic
Next time it rains, head up to your attic and make sure that no leaks are coming through your new roof. If rain isn’t forecasted any time soon, have someone spray your roof with a hose while you stand in the attic. As Bankrate points out, roof leaks are only covered by homeowner’s insurance after events like storms or fallen objects, not poor installation.
Ensure Proper Ventilation
While you’re in the attic, you’ll also want to ensure that your new roof allows for proper ventilation. There should be intake vents either near your soffits or near the gutters. Signs of poor ventilation include excessive heat in the summer, ice dams in the winter, or mold growth at any time of year.
Look at Your Gutters
Finally, head back outside and make sure your gutters are flush with the fascia board and fastened with brackets or hangers. Spray your hose into your gutter to verify that water flows down the downspout without obstruction. Blockages or pooling could indicate improper pitch.
Texarkana Roofing Guide: Review All Documents
Finally, take the time to review all documents pertaining to your new roof. Here are some of the documents that you may need to keep on file.
Local Permits
The Texarkana local government requires certain permits for new roof installation. An experienced roofing contractor should help you secure the proper permits before installation begins. Make sure you have a copy of the permit for your own records.
Invoices
No matter how you’re paying for your new roof, you should have a record of all invoices. Look over your invoices to verify that your bills are itemized and accurate. The earlier you catch any discrepancies, the easier it will be to dispute them with your roofing company.
Insurance Paperwork
Is insurance paying for your new roof? If so, make sure that you keep all documents related to your insurance claim, including:
- Estimates and invoices
- Records of coverage provided by your insurance
- Records of insurance adjustments and inspections
We also recommend keeping a record of all communication with your insurance company.
Call Near Me Roofing and Put Your New Roof on the Map
For the best new roof installation results, don’t just leave everything up to your roofer. Use this guide to know what to check after having a new roof installed and make sure you’re getting the most out of your time and money.
Near Me Roofing is one of the top Texarkana roofing companies thanks to our familiarity with local weather, top-notch financing, and insurance experience. It’s no wonder that we’ve earned an A+ BBB rating! Contact us today to get the best roofing services in Texarkana.