12/15/2023
General questions to ask a roofing contractor about materials and installation:
Q: Do you have experience installing this specific roofing material and brand?
They should, and the more experience the better.
Q: How many fasteners will you use per shingle, shake or section of metal, and where will you place them?
The right answer is something like, “we use the type and number of fasteners required by the manufacturer, and we place them exactly where the manufacturer specifies.”
Q: What do you do when rain is imminent?
The contractor should be very familiar with weather forecasts and never get caught in an, “uh oh, it’s starting to rain” moment. When rain and/or high winds are expected, a “torn off” or partially completed roof should be securely covered with tarp for protection.
Q: Do you take any special measures in cold weather?
Asphalt shingles can be installed in cold weather, but roofing cement should be applied to each to hold the shingle field in place until proper adhesion to the roof can take place when the weather is warmer.
Q: How will you seal pipe boots, skylights, chimneys and other protrusions?
New flashing should be used wherever it is needed, and the contractor should have proven methods for properly installing materials that will stop water from getting through these very common leak locations.
Q: Will shingles overhang the drip edge and by how much?
Shingles should overhang the drip edge by about ¼” to ensure that rain runs off the roof into the gutter without a chance of backing up beneath the roofing.
