The Roofer Shortcuts That Infuriate Us (And You)

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Three Shortcuts Unscrupulous Tri-County
Roofers Take That INFURIATE Us

And Leave Homeowners
In A World Of Trouble

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Tri-County homeowners deserve the best when it comes to their roofing needs. Unfortunately, not all roofing contractors have their clients’ best interests in mind. In an effort to cut corners and save a few bucks, some unscrupulous contractors resort to what we, and likely you, would consider downright infuriating shortcuts.

These shortcuts can cost homeowners big time in the long run.

At Banes Roofing, not only do we refuse to be a part of this disreputable practice, but  we outright combat it.

And how do we do it? Simple.

We just do things right the first time. Every time.

We pride ourselves on our unwavering commitment to quality workmanship, which starts with listening to what you need and then giving you what you need – no more, no less.

And what you need most definitely does not call for any sort of shortcut whatsoever.

Why?

Because with all things in life, the best things take time – or, as we like to say, they take efficiency.

Efficiency is the intersection of success where the roads of “timeliness” and “doing the job right” cross paths.

But when a contractor has a team parading over your head, taking any shortcut they can manage to save time, it’s you who loses in the end.

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Infuriating Shortcut #1: Sloppy Shingling

Shingle installation is the first place we look when determining whether a roof is a “shortcut roof.” One of the telltale signs of a poor roof replacement installation?

Bad stagger patterns.

A roof’s stagger pattern refers to how many inches the shingles overlap one another. Poorly calculated stagger patterns due to rushing, lack of experience, or a little of both cause unsightly and structurally weak areas on your roof. And worse yet, they allow water a clear path to the inner parts of your roof.

Why would a roofing contractor ever go outside the across-the-board industry standard measurement of what should be 6-inch stagger patterns?

Pure laziness bred from wanting to get the job done fast (i.e., an infuriating shortcut).

Whether they go overboard and make the spacing 8 inches or underestimate and go 4 inches, the industry standard to strictly adhere to is 6 inches. 

No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

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A Shingle-Slope Mismatch

Should your contractor choose the wrong shingle for the type of slope your roof has, it will spell big trouble, and not just in the distant future but in the near future.

One example of poor shingle selection would be outfitting dimensional shingles on a roof with low to no slope. This will prevent proper water runoff, resulting in pooling and water saturation. Over time, this will lead to a leaking roof.

What should be used for low to no slope roofs are high-quality 3-tab shingles in combination with a rubber roofing solution. But some of these shortcut takers won’t even take the time to bother.

Why would a Tri-County roofer ever take a shortcut like this?

Well, it could be for an assortment of reasons – whether they want to get rid of stock quickly or don’t want to wait around for a new shipment.

In the end, it always comes down to one reason: $$$. Because the only phrase running through their head is, “Time is money, and money is time.”

Angry yet? Just wait until we tell you about “caulking crimes.”

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Infuriating Shortcut #2: All Caulk, No Talk

Many roofers may use silicone caulk excessively as a quick and cheap fix. While caulk has its place in roofing repairs, overusing it can mask more significant problems that require proper investigation and resolution.

Areas where they might be “caulking over it” instead of “talking over it” in search of the right solution?

• Collars
• Chimney flashing
• Any penetration, especially around skylights and vents
• Areas that need deeper investigation rather than a slab of goop

You get the idea.

They’ll color over it like a toddler with a crayon and a coloring book before telling you the deeper structural issue that needs proper attention, such as new collar fittings or flashing in and around your chimney and cricket.

Fuming yet? Bear with us – there’s one more area we must discuss.

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Infuriating Shortcut #3: Poor Ventilation Routing

A well-designed roof ventilation system is essential for maintaining a healthy and energy-efficient home. Unfortunately, some roofers may take shortcuts in ventilation routing, leading to moisture buildup, mold growth, and reduced energy efficiency.

Instead of your shower steam going outside where it belongs, it will be routed directly into your attic (your roof), promptly leading to moisture buildup.

They’ll do this because to properly route a roof’s ventilation takes effort and care. Which, as we well know by now, are attributes many contractors have no problem ignoring.

So even if your roof looks new and shiny… without proper ventilation routing, it will all be for naught.

At Banes, this is always a point of investigation, along with proper shingle selection staggering and proper use of caulk, as previously mentioned.

Because, when you’ve successfully been replacing and repairing commercial and residential roofs since 1950… you learn a thing or two about doing things the right way.

Simply put – our roof replacement processes can’t be beat.

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Go The Extra Mile With Banes Roofing

Okay, you made it to the end!

First, we apologize for those infuriating roofing shortcuts you had to read through. But don’t worry, a roofer who does things 100% unequivocally right – Banes Roofing – is just a call away.

If you need a commercial or residential roof repair or replacement in the Tri-County area from a 100% honest and transparent roofer, contact Banes Roofing for a free quote today.