Roof replacement is an important investment, one that should be entrusted to capable hands — ones that do not take shortcuts. In today’s post, local roofing company Frame Restoration Roofing and Construction discusses the shortcuts that reputable roofing contractors do not take.
Using Low-Quality Materials
It is possible to build a roof by mixing and matching components from different manufacturers. For unscrupulous contractors, this is an opportunity to substitute low-quality materials to cut costs and pocket the difference. You won’t immediately notice the difference until after a few years down the line, after the roof is exposed to outdoor conditions and starts needing repairs every so often. A trustworthy contractor, on the other hand, would only use quality components — no substitutions.
Installing the New Roof Over the Old One
Reroofing is a practice where a new roof is installed right over the old one, with the intent of reducing the roof installation costs by eliminating the tear-off and disposal parts of the process. Roofers do not offer reroofing to every homeowner who asks for it because it can only be done under very specific conditions. Reroofing just any roof means skipping crucial steps like performing structural repairs — which can compromise the resulting roof’s long-term performance.
Using Staples for Installation
Every type of roofing system requires an appropriate type of fastener, but staples are not among them. However, unscrupulous roofers have been known to use staples to cut roofing costs. The problem is staples are nowhere near as strong as standard roofing fasteners, which means a roof that’s stapled down will be very vulnerable to wind damage.
Ignoring the Underlayment
The underlayment or “felts” is a moisture barrier that helps prevent moisture infiltration in case the outer roofing material gets punctured or otherwise gets damaged. Modern underlayment is made of material that’s “breathable” — that is, it allows evaporation instead of trapping moisture underneath — which means similar-looking material like tarpaulin shouldn’t be used as substitutes. A trustworthy contractor will always make sure that your roof has all the essential components, including underlayment.
Frame Restoration Roofing and Construction is your trustworthy provider of roofing services. Give us a call at (469) 346-8544. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.