Most homeowners blame bad weather or old shingles when their roof fails. But this isn’t always the case. The number one cause of roof failure in Bergen County is improper installation.
- Leaks appearing within the first 5 years after installation are almost always installation problems
- Properly installed roofs last an average of 22 years
- Roofs with installation errors need major repairs or full replacement in under 10 years
What this means for you: Your shingles might be premium quality. Your contractor might have charged a fair price. But if the installation was sloppy, your roof won’t make it half its expected lifespan. Even the best materials fail when installed incorrectly. This is why working with reliable roofing companies in Bergen County matters so much.
Common Installation Errors That Cause Roof Failure
So what actually goes wrong? Here are the mistakes that wreck roofs in Bergen County:
- Flashing mistakes. This is the biggest problem. Flashing seals where your roof meets chimneys, vents, and skylights. When contractors rush it or skip steps, water pours straight through. About 30% of installation failures come from bad flashing work.
- Wrong nailing. Shingles need nails in specific spots. Too high, too low, or at the wrong angle, and wind just rips them off. Then the leaks start.
- Poor ventilation. Skipping proper attic ventilation traps heat and moisture inside. That rots your roof from underneath and creates ice dams in winter that force water under your shingles.
- Cheap underlayment. Some contractors use bargain materials or skip sections to save time. Those become the exact spots where water gets through years later.
- Ignoring the instructions. Every roofing system has specific installation requirements. Contractors who don’t follow them void your warranty and build a roof that fails early.
Warning Signs Your Roof Was Poorly Installed
How do you know if your roof was installed wrong? These red flags show up fast.
Watch for these problems:
- Leaks appearing within the first few years after installation
- Shingles blowing off in normal wind (not just major storms)
- Roof looks wavy or uneven from the street
- Flashing around chimneys looks damaged or is missing pieces
- Brand new shingles already losing lots of granules
- Nail heads popping through or visible from the ground
- Water stains in your attic shortly after getting a new roof
Don’t pick based on price alone. The lowest bid usually means shortcuts. Those shortcuts turn into leaks, repairs, and early replacement. You might save $2,000 upfront and spend $15,000 fixing it five years later.
A properly installed roof costs more today but lasts 20+ years. A cheap installation might last 8 years before you’re replacing it. Do the math. Quality installation is always cheaper in the long run.
Don’t Let Poor Installation Ruin Your Roof
Choosing the right contractor isn’t about finding the lowest price. It’s about finding someone who does it right the first time.
Don’t let sloppy installation cut your roof’s life in half. A & J Reliable follows manufacturer specifications, uses proper techniques, and stands behind every installation. If you need a new roof or want a second opinion on recent work, we provide honest assessments and quality workmanship you can trust.
Contact us online or give us a call at (877) 492-9014 for your free estimate today. We provide clear, honest estimates, and if you ever need urgent help, our emergency services are available around the clock.
