Asphalt Shingle Installers

Tag: Choose Installer

  • Common Asphalt Shingle Installation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

    A new asphalt shingle roof is only as good as its installation. Even premium shingles fail prematurely if installed incorrectly. Here are the most common asphalt shingle installation mistakes and how to avoid them.

    1. Improper Nailing. Nails must be placed in the correct location (the nailing strip) and driven straight. Overdriven nails tear through shingles; underdriven nails don’t hold. Too few nails reduce wind resistance. A quality installer knows the exact nail pattern.

    2. Skipping Underlayment or Flashing. These hidden components are critical. See our guide on underlayment and flashing for why they can’t be skipped.

    3. Inadequate Ventilation. Poor attic ventilation causes heat and moisture buildup that destroys shingles and decking. Ensure your contractor addresses ventilation during installation.

    4. Overlaying Instead of Tearing Off. Installing new shingles over old ones hides damage and shortens the new roof’s life. Always insist on a full tear‑off.

    5. Incorrect Shingle Alignment and Overlap. Improper stagger patterns or insufficient overlap create leak paths. This is purely a workmanship issue.

    6. Reusing Old Flashing. Always replace flashing during a full roof replacement. Reusing old metal invites leaks.

    To avoid these mistakes, choose a licensed contractor carefully—see how to choose a licensed installer. For the process where these errors occur, see what to expect during installation. For material choices, see types of shingles. And for maintenance after the job, see maintenance tips.

  • Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Asphalt Shingle Roof Replacement?

    After a storm or unexpected roof failure, the question is: will insurance cover a new asphalt shingle roof? The answer depends on the cause of the damage and your policy. Here’s what you need to know.

    What Is Typically Covered: Standard homeowners insurance covers sudden and accidental roof damage from covered perils like wind, hail, fire, and falling objects. If a storm tears off shingles and the roof must be replaced, your policy will likely pay—minus your deductible. Some policies only pay the depreciated value (Actual Cash Value) rather than full replacement cost (Replacement Cost Value).

    What Is Typically NOT Covered:

    • Wear and tear: A roof that fails due to age or lack of maintenance is your responsibility. See lifespan expectations.
    • Neglect: If you ignored known problems, the resulting damage may be denied.
    • Flooding: Roof damage from rising water requires flood insurance.
    • Improper installation: Damage from poor workmanship is not covered. See common installation mistakes.

    How to File a Claim: Document the damage with photos. Contact your insurer immediately. Obtain an estimate from a licensed contractor—see how to choose a licensed installer. Mitigate further damage (tarp the roof if needed), but don’t start permanent repairs until the adjuster inspects.

    The Role of Maintenance: Insurers may deny claims if they find the roof was neglected. Regular maintenance protects your coverage—see maintenance tips. For cost details, see asphalt shingle cost. And for foundational installation knowledge, see what asphalt shingle installation involves.