A reroof is supposed to last for years, but an inspector said one homeowner's new roof was coming apart in giant sections after a few months, throwing a wrench in the certification process.
Here's what to know
The inspector wrote on r/Roofing that the installer had created square-like shingle groupings and nailed only their top edges, which let them slide off together. Several vents had also been installed upside down, making the project "quite possibly one of the worst re-roofs I've seen."
"Needless to say they didn't get a certification for this roof," they continued, sharing photos of a partially exposed underlayment and displaced shingles.
Commenters quickly zeroed in on one especially maddening detail: a clearly labeled vent that was installed the wrong way. "The vent literally having 'UP' stamped on it and they still put it sideways is peak craftsmanship," one commenter said in disbelief.
"It's an incredible feat of laziness that I have not seen in any other inspection," the original poster concluded.
More background
A failed roof can mean more material waste, more labor, and more disruption for the people living under it.
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One commenter responded, "Oh my what a waste of product," pointing to the likelihood that nearly new roofing materials would have to be removed and replaced.
Another commenter remarked, "Should be an easy tear off," to which the OP replied, "At least there is that upside."
What can be done?
In this case, the most concrete safeguard was the inspection itself.
A certified inspection can catch problems before a mishandled project snowballs into an even bigger repair job. Still, that was likely little comfort to the homeowner seeking certification.
As one commenter put it, "Unfortunately, bro, you would have to change this roof."
Where can I learn more?
Roofing problems can start with materials, installation, or even maintenance decisions.
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