New Roof Frustrations - Tips for Homeowners Looking for a New Roof Installation

My barely 1-year old roof that I paid ~$4500 for is becoming problematic. This was my first new roof as a homeowner. In this video I share my story and hopefully you can find in it some tips to help you out as you shop for a new roof installation.
Comment below with your thoughts on my experience...this is abnormal, right? Are you shopping for a roof or have you in the past? Did you experience any issues that needed resolution?
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[@offbaseify]

A trick to make the tar less visible. Check your gutters and you will always find some of the granules that have been washed off the roof. Collect them into a can or whatever and then sprinkle them onto to freshly patched spots Press them down a little with a gloved hand and the spot will blend in with the rest of the singles.

[@kev-reviews]

Smart. Thanks for the tip 👍🏻

[@nitrous07me]

This video is definitely for me, I’m in the process of dropping money on a roof

[@harrygrimley4352]

That's a bummer kev.

[@DAS-Videos]

I can not believe that they sprayed flex seal on your chimney! I've had my share of roof leaks that I track and fix, I use black jack in the tubes which I don't think is sold anymore. Just an asphalt based tar in a tube.

[@bigmiker35]

Builder here. I get the frustrations for sure, especially when there is a leak a year later and your customer thinks you just cut corners. Not sure why they put the L flashing 3" up from the chimney and not right up against the chimney? You could also run some down the sides and vycor & urethane over the flashing to keep it sealed. Some things are tricky and require thoughtful solutions. Some contractors just know how to swing a hammer.

[@kev-reviews]

Thanks for commenting. I think they ran it up a bit because the old flashing had a similar lip - just a bit lower. My main worry at this point is that their solution will be to just coat everything with flex seal - which I know from experience is a temporary solution…and/or some other product that over time looks horrible. I’m already not happy with the mis-matched flashing. I have the other big name in the area (I think the biggest in the state) coming tomorrow to look at it. I’m at the point that I’m considering having them just reroof the entire thing and then start the process of trying to recoup my losses. We’ll see what they have to say.

[@tomrichards6207]

I replaced my roof last summer. It turned out great. I went with a metal roof. 90% less pieces and 0 maintenance. The thermal retention is great and impossible for snow to build up on it. The second the sun hits, it slides right off. My previous roof was shingled. It lasted 39 but took an absolute beating from multiple storms and hurricane force winds. By the time I had the money to have it replaced 90% were gone. Recorded wind speeds were up to 150 mph and sustained winds of 40-80 mph for sometimes months on rare occasions. Pick you roofer carefully. I ran into to some issues with my contractor. Beware! Issues with the contactor, but the guys who actually did the roof were amazing!!! They had it completely stripped down in half a day and installed the metal roof in under 16 hours, including custom hand fabricated flashing for skylights and all the roof vents.

[@ForeverDownByLaw]

Crap work. Also, that flashing doesn't look right at all. I'd get somebody to come out (not the original company) and install proper copper flashing. I'd also consider the company to small claims to get your money back and get a decent company to redo the roof. I had my roof done this past year by a small, local company. You might want to consider using a smaller contractor that pays attention to the details.

[@davidcrowson4745]

So sorry for that.

[@kev-reviews]

Thanks. It leaked again today, so I’m at the point of calling another company to at least get a 2nd opinion on what it would take to fix it

[@LordLoMR2]

Every large company will farm out the work to the cheapest bidder. They don’t actually do the work themselves.

[@cup_and_cone]

It's not just bad installers, poor manufacturers too. My 7 year old roof, supposed to be 25 year, needs replaced due to granule loss. The manufacturer won't honor the warranty because Hurricane Sally came through a few years ago, even though I only lost several shingles and had them replaced with same exact shingle...roof still looked like new after the hurricane, it's only the last couple years the granules have started falling off.

[@kev-reviews]

Thanks for sharing

[@aaronbehindbars]

YIKES! That is some funky workmanship! It's a shame you basically have only a couple options for roofers. I'm in a big metro area in Texas and we have what seems like 100 roofing companies and they all seem to stay busy. We get big hail storms all over every year. I moved in July 2023 and the previous owners installed a new roof and gutters right before I closed on the property. The roofers did a fantastic job. 2 months later, we get baseballs raining down and now I get to pay my own deductible. I hired the same company and upgraded to the heavy duty impact resistant shingles. My next door neighbor's new roof looks like yours probably did with wavy ridge vent and nails popping up. I watched them out my home office window and just laughed. Totally rushed through it. I hope you get that thing sorted. Stinks you have to do so much yourself.

[@kev-reviews]

Thanks for sharing. We have many many roofing companies and many more “roofers,” but there are - at least in my opinion - two large reputable roofing companies that are known to stand behind their product. I bought from one of those. To their credit they have came out anytime I’ve called, but it’s kind of like a new car that develops several issues…eventually you quit trusting that it can ever be reliable and are constantly on alert for the next problem. That’s not something I expected of the new roof. To say I’m disappointed would be a disservice to the word disappointed 🙃. Wait until you see what I discovered when fixing one of the raised nails 🤬

[@myidisinhim559]

Crap work. This is why my anxiety grows exponentially when I have to hire someone to do home repair / improvement work or car maintenance. I'm almost always disappointed with the results. I would be a thorn in your roofer's side and take them to court if need be. Its so hard to find companies that truly are committed to doing quality work.

[@kev-reviews]

Just wait till you see what I found when I raised a shingle to fix one of the raised nails 🤬

[@user-uh1oh8zh5t]

Going through the same nail issue with my roof. Brand new roof last summer and have sealed up numerous nails. I don’t have the chimney issue because I knocked the top part off and had it shingled over. (It’s not in use anymore) Not sure if walking up on the roof quarterly to blow out the gutters is making the nails pop up. Probably going to look into leaf guards like you have or just climbing the ladder to clean the gutters for now on.

[@kev-reviews]

Thanks for sharing. I can tell you (and I have footage if I can find and edit it all) I didn’t have to get up on the roof at all for leaves. Even during peak leaf season. Stuff blows off with wind. I’m 100% thrilled with the gutter guards.

[@bobl185]

Sorry to say but the workmanship and pride of most products, and even installers has declined over the years. Companies used to really do a great job, and had a great reputation for their work !! Most people would accept just about any excuse that they would be told, but also their excuses would NEVER EVER be their fault ! Great job catching all of their faults and fails on your 1 year old roof, I'm sure they will regret the bad workmanship that they did for you Kev... My last roof of mine was done by me and some roofing friends, it did come out in my opinion perfect...

[@DAS-Videos]

You had a very poor roofer. I did as well.

[@zer0ed779]

Unless you are still battling it out, please name the companies.

[@philmorehole]

The amount you paid for a roof doesn’t surprise me at all with the problems you’re experiencing. A roof like yours in WI, without knowing the size would at least be $12k not including gutters. I stopped out at someone’s house where they paid bottom dollar and it was a bottom dollar install, total crap. #1. I wouldn’t put OC shingles on my dog house. Granules fall off just looking at them, nails pop all over the place due to bad products. Bad warranties and all around bad products. #2. They had no business doing chimney flashing work, if it leaks like that right away, you know their detail work is far from good. #3. Google reviews are so important to check on!!

[@kev-reviews]

$4500 was actually one of the higher quotes for my simple roof. Prices in my area aren’t like they are in northern states, so it wasn’t a bottom dollar install. I hadn’t heard anything bad about OC. When I researched beforehand they were rated as a decent choice that usually sat in the safe zone of good shingles with a typical granule loss. Maybe I was watching reviews from companies that use OC. The business I selected had a 4.5 star rating. I guess I just got the bad job. Footnote: I’m waiting on another quote which will be in the morning. The first company to show up sent a guy that literally couldn’t speak more than a few words of English. I was able to pick out enough to get that he thought the ridge vent and front flashing needed to be redone (again.) I have the other large name in the area coming tomorrow. Second footnote: I called the company that installed mine and let them know I wasn’t happy and that I was seeking second opinions before I called them back. They told me I would most likely hear from the top guy there later in the afternoon once they shared all this with him…never heard a word 👎🏻

[@01FozzyS]

Definitely shoddy work. Sorry to hear this,Kev. Can you report them to the BBB?

[@kev-reviews]

From what I’ve seen (and IMO) the BBB is worthless for the consumer. Usually there’s just a followup comment from the company that was complained about and then the case/comment thread is closed….at least that’s the way it looks to me

[@MikeX50]

BBB is definitely worthless.

[@tightbhole420]

they didnt do a great job but man would I hate to work for someone with OCD to this extreme 😂

[@kev-reviews]

Not wanting a leak or mis-matched materials on something I just spent multiple thousands of dollars is ocd?

[@tightbhole420]

@@kev-reviews I mean that makes sense but I can tell it doesnt stop there with you 😅 you made a 20 minute video about someone not flashing a chimney well 🤷‍♂️

[@kev-reviews]

@TheDapack there was more to it than the flashing. First, it leaked and stained my ceiling. That’s after multiple times of them trying to pass the buck and not admit it was their roofing job not working. I was completely happy with the roof until the issues started arising. Once the issues started I began to look closer to see there were many more problems - some I had to correct myself. Maybe there are people out there that don’t mind patchwork repairs, temporary solutions (like flex seal,) and poor quality for which top dollar is paid, but I think the majority of homeowners would feel the same as me and expect an expensive new roof to work worry-free for more than a year.

[@macmcelroy6165]

wow that's totally unacceptable , you need to call 6 on your side or whatever TV station in your area that exposes these bozos - i'd be hoppin-ass pissed

[@kev-reviews]

Thanks. Hopefully it doesn’t get to that point. If it leaks tomorrow….well, let’s just hope it doesn’t 🤞

[@MikeX50]

Doubtful a news station would report on this - it happens all the time!

[@MikeX50]

Welcome to the new Anerica. Future prediction: even higher prices with even worse quality workmanship and customer service. Only other solution which is also pricey is to get a lawyer. A letter from your lawyer to this company may get them to fix your roof right.