Three Roofing Nightmares and How To Prevent Them
It’s no secret that roofing projects carry with them a certain element of risk. They’re expensive, they’re noisy, they’re dirty, and they have the potential – if done wrong (or not done at all) – to leave serious and lasting damage to your home. With all of this considered, how do you minimize your own risks when you need roofing work done? Let’s talk about some of the scenarios we see, as well as what you can do as a buyer to prevent these nightmares from ever happening.
First, and by far most common, is a roofing company doing work incorrectly. It’s easy to assume that installing a roof is a relatively simple matter, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. A roof isn’t just the layer of shingles that you see from the outside, rather it’s a complex and interconnected system of multiple layers of material, each of which requires expert-level training to install correctly and in the right order. Improper installation will cause the roof to fail far before its lifespan should be over, leading to increased costs of maintenance and repairs. The worst part is that improper installation often voids the warranty of the products that are used – meaning that you might end up paying for repairs out of pocket, an expense that can quickly add up over the three decades or so that a new roof should last you.
The best way to avoid this problem is to do a bit of research before you hire a roofing company. In most cases, reviews from sites like Google, Yelp, and other sites will give you a good idea of a company’s values, customer service, and workmanship. Always make sure that the roofer’s license is active, and that they have an A+ rating with the BBB. Additionally, you can always ask for references from past clients to hear from a real person about their experience with the company.
Reviews online can give you a great indication of what kind of company you are dealing with.
Another problem that we see in roofing is property damage that occurs during a roofing project. Thankfully, this has become less and less common as better business practices have been adopted across the nation, however it is still something that happens every year. Damage to your property can include anything from broken flowerpots, unnecessary wood damage, all the way up to (in extremely rare cases) fires and major structural damage. Property damage is often caused when the company doesn’t take the time to go through the necessary safety precautions to protect your property.
You can minimize the risk of property damage by hiring an experienced and highly rated roofer, as we’ve described before. Additionally, you should make clear communication a priority to make sure that all of your property is out of the way of walkways, paths, and areas where falling debris may be a hazard. Additionally, if there is any work being performed involving torch down roofs, make sure that the roofing crew knows (and follows through) that they should stay at the site for at least two hours after the torch work has been completed to make sure that there are no traces of embers that could cause a devastating house fire. You can also ask what kind of training the workers go through before they arrive at your roof – training makes a world of difference when it comes to avoiding damage during a roofing project.
The Resilient Roofing team
The final roofing nightmare we see is the risk of injury. Roofing, due to the height off the ground and steep slopes of some roofs, is inherently dangerous. This is why we firmly believe that it is always best to hire a professional to do your roof, as inexperienced people will find it hard to keep their balance while also doing precise, high-quality work. Additionally, this is another reason why insurance is a necessity when it comes to roofing work. If a worker is injured, you want it to be covered by the company’s insurance. Otherwise, you as the homeowner may be liable for damages in case of injury. Always ask a roofing company to make sure that their workers are fully insured before signing a contract, and make sure that they will take the proper safety precautions while they are doing work on your roof – this means that they will wear protective equipment, have proper footwear, gloves, and if the roof’s pitch is steep enough, wear harnesses to prevent injury. Additionally, there is no substitute for experience when it comes to safety.
At Resilient Roofing, we’re proud of our track record of excellent service and workmanship, which is reflected in our online reviews. Additionally, we don’t try to cut costs by skimping on insurance, licensing, or trained workers. If you’re in the San Diego area and need roofing work done, contact us! We’d be happy to set up a free consultation with our licensed roofing specialists to talk about your roofing needs.