Indicators Of A Quality Roof Installation

roof

First impressions speak volumes when it comes to choosing a roofing company. It all begins with the estimate. 

“Professionalism is at the top of the list. Typically, if you don’t get a good impression at the front end, it won’t go well at the back end,” says Rob Orwig, a Senior Project Consultant here at G. Fedale. That estimate should, of course, include a trip up a ladder. Like a detective, the project consultant or estimator should look for obvious problem areas, but those that are not run-of-the-mill as well, including the flashing and tie-ins between different roofing materials. 

“We’ll want to have a conversation on the front-end, not during the installation,” Rob says, if the physical inspection finds areas of concern.

While that climb upward is a given, at G. Fedale we also do a ground-level inspection. Is there a swimming pool on the property? A playground? Do the homeowners have dogs, small children? 

We take these and other details into consideration and do our best to prevent errant nails. We protect air conditioners and generators, and cover landscaping surrounding the house. Still, it’s important to know if a rosebush, or other planting, has sentimental value as extra care will be given to avoid damage. We’ll also peek inside of the attic or crawl spaces to check for leaks and other signs of damage. 

Roofing companies that suggest cost-savings through installing a new roof on top of an existing roof should be nixed immediately! Aside from the likely code violation, shingling over an existing roof is no more than a bandage. It also conceals the continuing degradation of the former roof. Furthermore, Rob says, cutting corners in this way will likely jeopardize the warranty. 

A quality roof replacement is more than just the sum of the shingles. Cutting corners by failing to install flashing, drip-edges, or starter shingles, or minimizing the number of nails per shingle will impact the life of the roof. “We use six nails per shingle and our underlayment is synthetic. There is probably still 15-pound felt (underlayment) out there,” Rob says. The materials we use are covered under a manufacturer’s warranty, but workmanship is covered by our in-house warranty department. 

Post installation of a G. Fedale roof, homeowners can anticipate a visit from the project manager. The project manager will inspect the completed work and check in with the customer. Aside from that more immediate visit, we’ll be back a year later. That anniversary inspection will assess how well the roof held up during its first freeze/thaw cycle.