The Homeowner’s Audit: 12 Red Flags of a Failed Roofing Installation
1. Misaligned or Crooked Shingles
We recently inspected a project over in McConnellsburg that perfectly illustrated this "shingle shenanigan." From the street, the shingle rows looked wavy and uneven. While it might just seem like a cosmetic issue, shingles that aren't installed in a straight, measured line fail to "interlock" as designed. When your shingle courses are staggered incorrectly, the water-shedding channels don't align, which is a leading cause of premature leaks.
- The Danger: Crooked shingles often mean the installer skipped using a chalk line or didn't understand the manufacturer’s specific "offset" requirements. This doesn't just look bad; it can actually void your material warranty and leave your roof vulnerable to wind uplift during the heavy storms we get in the Cumberland Valley.
- Done Right Insider: A professional roofing crew should snap a chalk line every few courses to ensure everything stays perfectly square. If you see a contractor "eyeballing" the layout from the ladder, they’re cutting corners that will cost you later.
2. Damaged or Reused Flashing
One of the most frequent "roofing rescues" we perform at Chambersburg homes involves old, reused flashing. We often see homeowners who paid for a "new" roof, only to find the contractor left the rusted, original metal around the chimney or in the roof valleys. This is a classic "low-bid" shortcut that hides the most vulnerable parts of your home under a fresh layer of shingles.
- The Danger: Flashing is the "armor" for the joints of your roof. Old flashing is full of tiny nail holes and hairline cracks from years of expansion and contraction. Reusing it is like putting a new engine in a car but keeping the old, leaky radiator. Whether you are in Fayetteville or St. Thomas, if your flashing isn't replaced, your "new" roof is likely to leak within the first two years.
- Done Right Insider: Always check your estimate for "New Step Flashing" and "Chimney Counter-Flashing." If your contractor says the old metal "looks fine," they are prioritizing their profit margin over your home’s dry interior. At Done Right Exteriors, we believe if the roof is being replaced, the protection system should be 100% new.
3. Cuts in your Shingles
A common but often overlooked sign of a rushed roofing job is seeing visible cuts or "scars" on the surface of your shingles. This usually happens when an installer uses the roof itself as a cutting board while trimming shingles for valleys or ridges. While it might look like a minor scratch, any cut that penetrates the asphalt layer exposes the fiberglass mat underneath to the elements.
- The Danger: Once that protective granule layer is compromised, the sun’s UV rays will quickly degrade the shingle. We’ve seen roofs in Mercersburg and Mont Alto where these small cuts turned into full-blown leaks in just a few seasons. If a contractor is careless enough to cut into the shingles they just installed, it’s a red flag that they aren't paying attention to the finer details that keep your attic dry.
- Done Right Insider: A professional installer should always use a hook blade or a dedicated cutting surface when trimming shingles. If you see straight-line "slices" near your roof valleys, it’s a sign that the installer took a shortcut that could shorten the lifespan of your entire roof.
4. Drip Edge Issues
Drip edge is a metal flashing installed at the edges of your roof to direct water away from the fascia and into the gutters. We often find that in Fayetteville and Orrstown, low-bid contractors will skip the drip edge entirely to save on material costs, or they install it over the underlayment instead of under it. This might seem like a small detail, but it is one of the most important components for preventing wood rot.
- The Danger: Without a properly installed drip edge, water will "wick" back under the shingles through capillary action, soaking your wooden fascia boards and the edge of your roof deck. This leads to rotted wood, peeling paint, and eventually, an invitation for pests like carpenter ants or squirrels to enter your attic. If you can see bare wood at the edge of your shingles, your roof is missing a critical piece of protection.
- Done Right Insider: Check the very edge of your roof—you should see a clean metal "L" or "T" shaped strip tucking under the first row of shingles. Proper installation requires the drip edge to be under the felt paper at the eaves and over it at the rakes. If yours is missing or incorrectly layered, your roof deck is at risk every time it rains.
5. Improper Nailing (High-Nailing)
Nail placement is the most important "hidden" factor in how a roof handles wind. We were out in Greencastle recently following a storm and found shingles in the yard that looked perfectly new. The problem wasn't the shingle; it was high-nailing. Every shingle has a narrow, reinforced strip where the nails must be placed. If the installer is moving too quickly and places the nails even an inch too high, they miss the reinforced zone and the shingle below it.
- The Danger: When a shingle is high-nailed, it isn't actually secured to the roof deck. It is essentially just "hanging" there. On a hot day, it might stay in place, but as soon as a strong wind hits the Cumberland Valley, the shingle will pull right over the nail heads. This is the number one cause of "blow-offs" and is almost always the result of a contractor trying to hit a production goal instead of a quality goal.
- Done Right Insider: We use shingles with a highly visible, reinforced nailing strip to ensure our installers hit the mark every single time. If you are looking at your roof after a windstorm and see shingles that have slipped down or blown off entirely, have a professional check for high-nailing. This is an installation error that can unfortunately void your manufacturer’s wind warranty.
6. Uneven or Sagging Roofline
A new roof should have a crisp, straight appearance from every angle. If you step back and notice dips, waves, or sagging areas along the ridge or the "flats" of the roof, you are likely looking at a major structural oversight. We recently saw a home in St. Thomas where the new shingles looked great, but the roofline was bowing because the previous contractor failed to address rotted plywood decking before laying down the new materials.
- The Danger: A sagging roofline usually indicates that the "bones" of the roof—either the rafters or the plywood sheathing—are compromised. If a roofer installs heavy new shingles over sagging wood, they are just masking a problem that will eventually lead to water pooling and, in extreme cases, a partial collapse. Whether you are in Fayetteville or closer to the mountain, an uneven roof is a sign that the foundation of your roofing system is failing.
- Done Right Insider: Before any shingles go down, your contractor should perform a "decking inspection." Any soft or "spongy" wood must be replaced to provide a flat, nail-worthy surface. If you see waves in your new roof, it’s a sign that the crew ignored the underlying structure just to get the job done faster.
7. Missing or Skipped Underlayment
Underlayment is the "hidden" moisture barrier that sits directly between your shingles and the wooden roof deck. In our experience around Orrstown and Scotland, we still see cases where contractors try to save a few hundred dollars by skipping this step or using a very thin, low-quality felt paper. Underlayment is your last line of defense; if a shingle blows off or water backs up under an ice dam, this layer is the only thing keeping your ceiling dry.
- The Danger: Installing shingles directly onto wood deck is a recipe for disaster. Without underlayment, any moisture that gets past the shingles will be absorbed directly into the wood, leading to rot, mold, and warping. In the Cumberland Valley, where we deal with everything from heavy snow to summer downpours, skipping this barrier significantly shortens the lifespan of your home’s exterior.
- Done Right Insider: Modern roofing has moved beyond old-fashioned felt paper. We recommend a high-performance synthetic underlayment, which is much tougher and more water-resistant. Additionally, make sure your contractor is using "Ice and Water Shield" in the valleys and along the eaves—this is a thicker, self-adhering underlayment designed to stop the specific leaks caused by winter ice buildup.
8. Poorly Sealed Valleys
Valleys are the areas where two roof slopes meet, creating a channel that handles a massive volume of water during a storm. Because so much water is funneled into these spots, they are the most common place for a roof to leak if they aren't prepped correctly. We recently handled a repair in Mercersburg where the shingles in the valley looked fine, but because the contractor skipped the waterproof barrier underneath, water was backing up under the shingles and rotting the deck.
- The Danger: If a valley is "open" or improperly woven without a dedicated liner, the constant flow of water will eventually find a way through the nail holes or shingle seams. In areas like Waynesboro or Greencastle, where we get heavy seasonal rain, a poorly sealed valley is an invitation for water to channel directly into your home’s interior walls rather than off the roof.
- Done Right Insider: A simple layer of felt paper isn't enough for these high-traffic areas. We install a self-adhering ice and water shield in all crucial parts of the roof, including every valley and around every penetration like chimneys and vent pipes. While building code only requires this protection at the eaves of the roof to prevent ice damming, we believe your valleys deserve that same level of "leak-proof" security to ensure your home stays dry for decades, not just a few years.
9. Inconsistent or Patchy Roof Appearance
A brand-new roof should have a uniform color and texture across every slope. If you step back and notice a "checkerboard" or patchy look—where some sections appear slightly darker or have a different sheen—it is a clear sign of mismatched materials. We’ve seen homes in Mont Alto where a contractor clearly mixed leftover shingle bundles from two different jobs, resulting in a roof that looked like a patchwork quilt instead of a single, cohesive system.
- The Danger: While the color difference is an eyesore, the real issue is that these shingles likely came from different "dye lots" or even different manufacturers. Shingles produced at different times can have slight variations in thickness or granule density, which causes them to age and wear at different rates. If you’re in St. Thomas or Fayetteville and notice your roof has "stripes" or patches, it means your contractor wasn't careful about sourcing their materials from a single, consistent batch. This can lead to uneven granule loss and can even complicate a future warranty claim.
- Done Right Insider: Shingles come with batch numbers printed on the wrappers to ensure they match perfectly. A professional crew will always double-check these numbers before the shingles ever leave the ground. We make it a point to order all materials for a project at once to ensure total consistency. If you notice patches on your new roof, don't let a contractor tell you it will "even out over time"—it won't. It’s a sign that they took a shortcut with their inventory at your expense.
10. Improper Attic Ventilation
Many people think a roof's only job is to keep the rain out, but a truly professional installation is also designed to let the house breathe. Proper ventilation requires a balanced system of intake (usually at the soffits) and exhaust (usually at the ridge). We recently inspected a home in Shippensburg where the shingles were already starting to "curl" after only five years because the attic had zero airflow, causing the roof deck to overheat.
- The Danger: If your attic isn't vented correctly, it becomes a furnace in the summer. This heat "cooks" your shingles from the underside, causing them to become brittle and lose their protective granules years ahead of schedule. In the winter, a lack of airflow leads to moisture buildup and condensation, which can rot your rafters and create a breeding ground for mold. If you live in Waynesboro or Greencastle and notice your upstairs rooms are impossible to keep cool, or if you see frost forming on the underside of your roof deck in the winter, your ventilation is likely failing.
- Done Right Insider: Ventilation isn't something you can just "eyeball"—it is a science based on the total square footage of your attic space. As a Lomanco certified contractor, we use specific airflow calculations to ensure your intake and exhaust are perfectly balanced. This isn't just about comfort; it is often a requirement to keep your shingle warranty valid. If your contractor didn't check your soffit vents before giving you an estimate, they aren't giving you a complete roofing system.
11. Stains or Water Spots in Your Attic
The outside of a roof can sometimes hide a contractor's mistakes, but the attic always tells the truth. After a new installation is finished, it is important to head upstairs with a flashlight and check the underside of the roof deck. If you see dark stains on the plywood, "tide marks" on your insulation, or the beginnings of mold, your new roof is already failing. We recently helped a homeowner near McConnellsburg who had a beautiful-looking roof on the outside, but a poorly sealed vent pipe was allowing water to slow-drip directly onto their bedroom ceiling.
- The Danger: Water spots in the attic are the first sign of a much larger problem. By the time a stain actually appears on your finished ceiling, the structural wood in your attic has likely been soaking for weeks. In the humid summers we experience in Scotland and surrounding areas, even a small leak can quickly turn into a mold colony that compromises your indoor air quality and rots your roof deck from the inside out.
- The Done Right Advantage: We don't just rely on a visual inspection. To ensure your home is 100% sealed, we use advanced thermal imaging technology that allows us to detect moisture signatures invisible to the naked eye. This tech lets us "see" through drywall and insulation to find cold spots where water might be hiding. If you suspect a leak but can't find the source, our equipment can pinpoint exactly where the barrier has been compromised.
- Done Right Insider: Always perform your own attic audit after the first heavy rain following a new install. Look specifically around the chimney, plumbing stacks, and any fans that cut through the roof. If you see even a single drop of water, call your contractor immediately. A professional who stands by their work will be out there the next day to find the source and fix it.
12. Roofers That Won’t Provide Proof of Licensing & Insurance
This is the final and most critical red flag. Whether you are dealing with a door-knocker after a storm in Waynesboro or a "too-good-to-be-true" quote in St. Thomas, if a contractor cannot or will not provide current proof of liability insurance and a valid state license, you should walk away immediately. A legitimate business has no reason to hide their credentials; in fact, they should be proud to show them.
- The Danger: Hiring an unverified contractor is a massive financial risk. If an uninsured worker is injured on your property in Chambersburg or Greencastle, you as the homeowner could be held liable for their medical expenses. Furthermore, without a valid license and manufacturer-backed certifications, you have very little recourse if the roof fails a year down the road. Professionalism starts with the paperwork.
- The Done Right Advantage: We believe in total transparency and specialized expertise. Done Right Exteriors is an A+ rated business with the BBB, but we go much further than just "having a license." We have put in the work to become factory-certified by the industry's leading brands. This includes being an Owens Corning certified contractor for shingles, GenFlex certified for flat roofing systems, and VELUX certified for skylight installations.
- Done Right Insider: To ensure your home breathes correctly and your warranty remains valid, we are also Lomanco certified in ventilation. This level of certification means we’ve been specifically trained by the manufacturers to install their products to the highest possible standards. Before you sign a contract, always verify that your roofer is actually listed on the manufacturer's website as a certified installer. If they aren't there, they can't offer you the same high-level protection and warranties that we can.
Don’t Let a Poor Installation Put Your Home at Risk
If any of these "12 Red Flags" look familiar, the worst thing you can do is wait for the next major storm to test your roof. Catching a shortcut now is the difference between a simple correction and a full-scale interior restoration.
Get a Professional "Done Right" Audit
We provide objective second opinions for homeowners throughout the Cumberland Valley. We don’t just look at the shingles; we use thermal imaging to find hidden moisture and Lomanco-certified calculations to check your ventilation.
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Our Local Service Area
We take pride in cleaning up the messes left by "out-of-town" crews. We are active daily in:
- Chambersburg & Fayetteville: Right in our backyard.
- The Northern Route: Shippensburg, Scotland, and Orrstown.
- The Southern Route: Waynesboro and Greencastle.
- The Western Valley: McConnellsburg, Mercersburg, Mont Alto, and St. Thomas.
Don't leave your home's safety to chance. Whether you need a repair or a full "rescue," we'll make sure it's Done Right.