4 Obvious Signs Of A Bad Roofing Job

Roof repair is expensive work that requires the expertise of a skilled professional. Unfortunately, and for many different reasons, roofing projects may be carried out poorly, leading to visual inconsistencies or even catastrophic structural mistakes.

The most common sign of a poor roofing job is that the previous problem has once again returned, even after you've had critical work done. But there are plenty of other red flags that don't require an expert's eye to spot.

If you've had any suspicions, doubts or distrust surrounding your lastest roofing job, Roof Giant give you some of the most glaring signs to look out for...

Aesthetic Asymmetry

How often do you look at your roof?

If you've ever cast an eye over your roof and noticed that it has an uneven quality or lacks uniformity, then this could be a major indicator of poor workmanship.

Look out for different coloured shingles, sloping roof lines, mismatched materials and any evidence of cutting corners; e.g. materials that vary noticeably in quality and consistency.

Missing Drip Edges Or Roof Underlayment

Noticing leaks, mould, staining or similar problems?

Check that your underlayment or drip edges aren't missing. Both these elements are used to protect your roof from water damage and increase the longevity of your roof.

To find the underlayment paper, peer under the shingles, and to find the drip edges, look under the edge of your roof for the layer of metal between the underlay and the shingles, protruding over the gutter. If either of these elements appears to be absent or even if your drip edge doesn't seem to be attached or positioned properly, then your roof may have been carelessly constructed.

Evidence Of Poor Nail Use

Incorrect roof nails and haphazard roofing nail technique are both big signs of a bad roofing job on a smaller scale.

Roofing nails are made for purpose and are designed to suit very specific components of your roof within the overall job.

Look out for...

• Rusting nails - roof nails are usually resistant to rust and weathering, so if your roofing job has been recently completed and you're already noticing that the nails have oxidized, then this is a sign that low-grade work materials were used.
• Overdriven nails - nails that are sunken into the wood and not flat or flush across the surface is a sign of amateur nail technique through aggressive hammering.
• Nails that are all over the place - if you see any nails that are sporadically positioned or nails that don't appear to adhere to the 2.5cm above the cut-out/2.5cm away from edges rule, then the roof job may have been conducted unprofessionally and you should be vigilant of other signs of poor workmanship.

Old Flashing Has Been Used

Any competent roofer will always use brand new materials (otherwise a high quality end-result can't be guaranteed) and won't cut corners replacing or reusing any old or existing flashing.

Even if the re-used flashing appears to be in good condition, look closer.

Using flashing again on a new project may result in worrying issues such as water leaking into your home through chimneys, roof valleys and similar weak points, leading to expensive repairs down the line.

Make sure you always ask a roofing professional if they plan on using new flashing and check the quality of the flashing once the job is complete.