Are there Bad Roofers in Boise? Unfortunately yes!
This should go without saying, but never hire a low-quality roofing contractor or a “Storm Chasing” roofing company. Low quality, meaning poor labor contractors, improper installation of roofing materials, or even cheap roofing materials can often mean MORE money for you in the long run.
To save money in the short term, some homeowners have recently been using “Storm Chasers” or less-than-stellar roofing contractors to complete their roof replacement projects. However, just because the price is lower or, in some cases, the same as top-notch companies doesn’t mean the quality is comparable.
Today, we will share some photos and descriptors of poor-quality roofing to watch out for.
Poor Quality Roofing -Four Signs to Know!
Poor quality roofing means poor results regarding your roof’s number one job – protecting the inside of your home from the weather.
When this is not done correctly, you will experience issues from leaks to having to replace your entire roofing system! Below are photos of homes we have seen in and around Boise over the past few months that had POOR quality roofs installed!
Related: The Top Roofing Companies in Boise
1. Ice & Underlayment Wrinkles
A brand-new roof should not be like this:
As you can see in the above photo, this brand-new roof was not installed correctly – hence the wrinkles! The underlayment and ice/water shield were improperly installed. Instead of correcting this, whatever low-quality roofing company did, this shingled over the wrinkles.
The result?
A roof that will need to be replaced aesthetically isn’t very pleasing.
Located near Boise, Idaho, it was installed within the last 18 months after the significant wind storms that came through the area. However, even with new roofing materials, the installation was terrible. This will lead to inevitable problems undermining the entire roofing system. Ultimately, this set of homes will all need new roofs in the next few years or sooner.
2. Improper Ridge Vent Installation
Your ridge vent is essential for allowing your roof to “Breathe,” and it is where the ventilation of your home’s roof occurs. When you replace your roof, the roofing company that installs your roofing systems must be sure to install a new ridge vent. If this is not done correctly, this can lead to leaks and moisture entering the home. It is also vital that the roofing contractor uses the correct products to ensure warranty installation standards are met!
3. Flashing or Pipe Collar Issues
Pipe collars surround vents and pipes that protrude from your roof, and flashing lines the sides of walls, chimneys, or other items that do the same. Both are designed to stop water from entering your home through pipes, vents, chimneys, etc. However, a common call for roof repairs is fixing broken or incorrectly installed pipe collars/ flashing. Ironically, we have recently been on BRAND NEW roofs that need roof maintenance by fixing flashing and pipe collars that were not installed the first time correctly.
4. Incorrect Shingle Overlapping & Nail Patterns
Imagine if you were constructing a pathway, and every few bricks, you placed one brick on top of another. That would look pretty funny, right?
As you can see in the photos above, whatever roofer installed this roof did not follow proper shingle installation guidelines. Roofing systems are contingent on basics that go beyond just the roofing material itself.
The underlayment, water shield, shingles, nail patterns, and ridges must all be installed correctly to maximize your home’s protection and validate the warranty. If the proper nail pattern guidelines or if the shingles are installed incorrectly – the manufacturer will not validate the warranty.
Asphalt shingles are excellent roofing materials. However, they must be installed correctly!
What are your roofing options?
Now you know what you don’t want – a shady roofing company that does a terrible job. Unfortunately, in the photos above, these are all pictures of roofs we have recently seen in the Boise/Meridian and surrounding Treasure Valley areas.
When storms roll in, so do the not-so-good roofing companies. To prevent hiring the wrong roofing contractor, be sure always to do the following:
- Make sure the roofing company you hire is licensed and insured
- Ask for references or check out their reviews online
- Make sure they don’t use low-quality materials to “Save Money.” Name-brand shingles for your roofing system are a must, i.e., GAF, CertainTeed, or Owens Corning.
- Get a free estimate, but also get a few more.
- Make sure they tear off your old roof.
- Get an honest opinion about a roof repair vs. a roof replacement.
- Have them fully explain the roofing manufacturers warranty and insurance claim procedures/details.
What you will quickly find out is that by doing the seven steps above, you will find a reputable roofer in the industry who knows how to treat customers but also help you with your roofing project.
Durability, longevity, and cost all matter when getting a new roof. Avoid the storm chasers, and always work with a reputable company such as Legacy Roofing!
Learn more about roofing systems, new roofs, our shingles, and more below:
What Does Hail Damage Look Like on a Roof & What Should You Do?
