Common Signs of a Bad Roofing Job
Getting tradesmen in to repair something in your home can be a bit of a minefield. You’re putting trust in their expertise to know what they’re doing, and do a great job. Most tradesmen in the roofing business are trustworthy and competent. But what are the tell-tale signs which you should look out for which might indicate shoddy workmanship?
1. Uneven or Non-Uniform Appearance
You don’t need to be an expert to spot a wonky roof, and this is a very good indication that all is not well. Look at the roof from as many angles as you can in good light, making sure that all of the tiles appear even, and that there are no patches where the tiles appear squint, uneven or pushed out of position. Tiles which don’t match exactly in colour might not be a warning sign, but could indicate that the roofers have been trying to cut costs if you’re experiencing problems elsewhere.
2. Dripping Gutters
It’s the job of the gutters to collect the water which falls on the roof and channel it away into the drain. Roofers should routinely check the guttering as part of any roofing job. If your gutters are blocked with debris, not joined up with the downpipes or just dripping, water is not flowing away properly. If the water comes into contact with your walls, this can cause damp.
3. Reusing Old Materials
Recycling tiles or slates from the roof is not, in principle, a bad idea. It can help stop your roof sticking out from all of the other roofs in your street. But if roofers are cutting corners by trying to reuse old flashing and other roof parts, you should be asking why. Old materials might be the reason your roof was leaking or needing repair in the first place. Also, if you’ve been billed for new boards, tiles or waterproof membrane, this is what you should be getting.
4. Staining on Tiles or Slates
Tiles and slates naturally darken when they get wait, and this is nothing to be alarmed about. However, you’d expect your roof to dry evenly. If after a day of dry weather you are still seeing dark patches on the roof, this could indicate that there is water getting under the tiles and they are never getting a proper chance to dry out. Over time, this could also lead to much more severe problems with damp in the rooms underneath the roof.
5. Problems Not Solved
If you’ve called out the roofers to fix a leak, then it’s reasonable to expect that they solve your problems for you. If you’ve still got a leak after the roofers have been, and they have reassured you that the roof is fixed, it’s a sign that they don’t know what they are doing. It’s important to have a frank conversation with the roofer before starting about what’s realistic to fix, given your budget. Use a roofer with a good reputation locally rather than just choosing someone at random online.
