It’s best to leave roofing-related work to professional contractors, but having an idea on the technical aspects of roofing installations wouldn’t hurt either. A bit of know-how on this subject can help you assess a contractor’s workmanship.
Working knowledge on the proper installation of roofs, in particular, can come in handy. Sloppy roof installations create gaps through which rainwater can enter your roof. But if you know what the signs of a shoddy roof installation are, you can mitigate damage before it spreads.
Genesis Roofing, a top roofing company in the state, lists below some of the things you need to check before installing asphalt shingles, the most popular type of roofing material in the country. The Right Kind
First off, you need to make sure the right kind of nail is used. The nail has to be rust-resistant, which means you need to use galvanized nails. The Right Size
The size of the nail will vary depending on several factors such as the thickness of the decking, shingles and underlayment. But there are minimum dimensions for certain types of nails. The diameter of the head of a 12-gauge, for example, should be at least 9.55 mm while its shank’s diameter should be no less than 2.67 mm. As a general rule, the larger the nail head and the heavier the shank gauge, the better the nail’s holding power is. The Right Number
Just like the optimal size of a nail, the optimal amount of nails per shingle would ultimately depend on the type of shingle. Details like these, including the correct positioning for nails, can be usually found in the manufacturer’s guide.
Keep in mind that this list isn’t exhaustive and that there are several other factors you should take into account. It’s almost impossible for the average homeowner to spot all installation errors by themselves. Luckily, there is an easier way of minimizing these errors—hire a factory-certified and licensed roofing contractor.
Factory-certified contractors have had extensive experience working with product, so it’s highly unlikely they’ll make mistakes in the installation process. As an added benefit, some manufacturers, like GAF®, offer exclusive warranties for roofing systems that were installed by certified contractors.
Genesis Roofing, a GAF-certified Weather Stopper® roofing contractor, offers roof replacement services. To get a free estimate, call us at (515) 200-1973 or leave us a message on this form. We serve homeowners in Clive, IA.