A quick way to determine if you have a poorly installed roof is to look at how the roof tiles align. If they aren't aligned properly, they tend to look sloppy. If they aren't aligned properly, they tend to look unkempt, indicating that they won't provide the protective coverage they were designed to provide. If there are cracks or gaps between misaligned roof tiles, moisture could damage the roof and roof covering.
Exposure to roof tiles isn't just an aesthetic issue. If the tiles are too far apart, parts of the tile that were not designed for this purpose may be exposed to the elements. You can check for yourself if the exposure to the tile is correct by measuring the space between the edge of one tile and the start of the next one. Then, compare that distance to the distance indicated in the roof tile installation instructions.
If it's too wide or too narrow, you can have them replaced. A simple way to evaluate if your roof has been properly installed is through a visual inspection. In a nutshell, does the roof look perfect in its entirety? A well-installed roof will present uniformity, with all sections looking the same from one end to the other. Any area that sticks out, that appears irregular, or that doesn't match, could indicate a faulty installation.
These discrepancies often indicate inadequate work that may require immediate repair or complete replacement to maintain the integrity of the structure. Ensure consistency to avoid major problems in the future. A properly installed roof will wear out evenly. On a poorly installed roof, you'll see tiles in different colors, no leaking edges or ventilation grilles that have been reused rather than being replaced.
You'll also notice a difference in the way some sections of the roof age compared to other sections. Regular visual inspections will help you detect problems before they become a major nuisance. In the same way, shingles must be symmetrical. This means that they must be aligned vertically according to their grooves or horizontally along the ceiling. Asymmetric shingles leave cracks that can let water into your home or commercial property.
The ceilings are supposed to be straight. A slope or curve halfway suggests a problematic structure or roof covering that should have been replaced or simply poor workmanship. On the other hand, if a roofer evades these requests or claims to be operating without official documentation, it's an obvious red flag. While the gutters may appear level when you look at the ceiling, they should be gently sloped toward each downspout.
Depending on the severity of the climate in your area, you can usually expect your roof to last two decades or more. A quick visual inspection from the ground should reveal any uniformity issues, such as the fact that the roof ages differently in some sections than in others. Before that happens, you can look along the roof projections to see if there are coverings or ask a roofer to do so for you. According to some reports, the lack of subfloor will make a roof that is only 10 years old appear to be at least four or five times its real age.
The drip edges are made of galvanized steel and are installed above the subfloor, but below the roof edges. A roofer can place gaskets for leaking edges on a roof that doesn't have one, but he'll have to evaluate the surrounding materials to see if they're damaged and see if any need to be replaced. In fact, it's quite easy to detect a poorly installed roof: just look up from the floor. Your roofer may have voided the manufacturer's limited warranty due to an incorrect installation, so the warranty may not cover any damage either.
This nail is not visible either, but if you see more nails in the attic or more cement for roofs, it may indicate that it is likely an installation error. Professional roofers understand the importance of hiding all nails under the surface of shingles. Chalk lines are temporary guides that help roofers keep the tile line straight while installing. Roof construction is an intricate art that requires precision in every detail, especially when it comes to securing roof tiles. There should be a small gap between the fascia and the gutters, and roofers should have placed the gutters 2 to 3 inches below the roof tile overhang so that they are positioned so that they can trap water as they fall.
It is an additional layer of protection, so if it is missing, the roof could age prematurely and most likely it is that has leaks.
