What to Check After Having a New Roof Installed: Checklist

Congratulations on your new roofing installation; you have protected your home and improved its curb appeal. Just in case you’re wondering, “What should I look for in a new roof?” we have a helpful roof replacement checklist for you. 

In this post, we discuss how to: 

• Inspect Shingles, Flashing, and Roof Penetrations
• Examine Gutters, Drainage, and Ventilation 
• Check for Debris, Structural Integrity, and Interior Signs 
• Determine if Your New Roof Has Been Installed Properly 
  

Wanting to know what to check after a new roof is installed shows you are a conscientious homeowner. Ensuring your roof is completed with expert workmanship is important to you. Start by ensuring the shingles are even, secure, and free of cracks, lifted edges, or missing pieces. You should also check that the flashing, vents, chimneys, skylights, and other roof details were properly installed against water intrusion. 

With a roofing checklist to work from, you’ll catch minor issues before they escalate. Items to check off your list include leftover debris, loose nails, damaged gutters, poor drainage, or signs of water inside. If something doesn’t look right, schedule a professional follow-up inspection. 

Roof shingles should be correctly aligned and evenly spaced, without waves, gaps, curling, lifted edges, or missing sections. Ensure the shingles are fastened tightly and lying flat against the decking; wind can drive water underneath. Inspect any place where the roof meets chimneys, vents, skylights, or other penetration features. Flashing should be neatly installed, tightly sealed, and free of gaps or exposed edges that could cause leaks. Hire a professional roofing company to inspect your new roof if you discover any uneven, loose, or poorly sealed areas.

A complete roofing checklist includes inspecting the gutters, downspouts, and roof ventilation. After a new roof installation, the gutters should be free of debris, the downspouts properly connected and securely reattached, and positioned to direct rainwater away from the foundation. 

Ventilation is easily overlooked, but very important for the longevity of your roof. Poor ventilation causes attic heat, moisture buildup, musty odors, and uneven shingle wear over time. Proper air flow reduces trapped heat and moisture and extends the life of your roof. 

It’s time to call in the pros when you discover loose gutters, poor drainage, or impeded ventilation. 

Soon after a roof installation, walk around the house and look for dropped nails, shingle scraps, packaging materials, or debris left behind by the roofing crew. Inspect the lawn, landscaping, flower beds, siding, and outdoor equipment for signs of accidental damage.

When possible, check the structural Integrity of your roof from the inside of the attic. Look for installation issues such as sagging decking, visible gaps, or other problematic signs. A quick visual check can help spot issues early. 

Use the next opportunity after the next heavy rainstorm to inspect the ceilings, walls, and attic spaces for water leaks. Moisture intrusion shows up as water stains, damp insulation, discoloration, peeling paint, or musty odors. Homeowners who know what to check after having a new roof installed will ensure their roof protects their home for years to come. 

A perfectly installed roof replacement looks beautiful with straight, evenly aligned shingles, clean edges, secure flashing, clean, straight gutters, and tight seams around vents, chimneys, and skylights.

When installed correctly, you will not see crooked shingle lines, damaged flashing, poor cleanup, water stains inside the home, loose gutters, or debris left behind on the roof or property.

A roofing checklist will help you assess the quality of your roof installation, but if you still have concerns, a professional roofer can provide expert assurance.

 Use This Checklist to Ensure Long-Term Roof Performance

As promised, here’s a roof replacement checklist to confirm the installation was done well. 

Use this checklist to protect your investment: 

• Shingles are straight and evenly aligned 
• Shingles are secure with no lifted edges or gaps 
• The roof has a uniform appearance 
• Proper flashing surrounds chimneys, vents, and skylights 
• Roof penetrations are sealed
• Gutters are clean, and downspouts are reattached 
• Rainwater properly drains away from the home 
• Attic ventilation and airflow are sufficient 
• No leftover nails, shingles, or debris 
• No damage to landscaping, siding, or outdoor areas 
• No sagging, gaps, or daylight visible from the attic 
• No ceiling stains, damp insulation. Peeling paint, or moisture after rain 

If you’re unsure what to check after having a new roof installed, or would like the pros to check it out, Preferred Roofing & Seamless Guttering is here to help. Our Lee’s Summit roofing company serves the Kansas City area and offers reliable post-installation inspections to ensure your new roof endures.