A new roof is a significant investment, and once the last shingle is nailed down and the crew packs up, it’s easy to feel like the hard part is over. But before you hand over final payment or file the paperwork with your insurance company, there are a few important areas you should look at yourself. Knowing what to check after having a new roof installed gives you peace of mind, protects your warranty, and helps you catch small issues before they turn into costly roof repairs.
This walkthrough covers what to look for inside and outside your home so your new roof installation gets off on the right foot.
What to Check After Having a New Roof Installed on the Exterior
You don’t need to climb a ladder to do a solid visual inspection. Step back from your home and take a good look at the roofline from different angles. Here’s what to focus on:
Shingle Appearance and Alignment
Look for rows of shingles that appear uneven, raised, or misaligned. Asphalt shingles should lie flat and follow a consistent pattern across the entire surface. Missing shingles or shingle pieces are red flags that need to be addressed immediately. You should also look for any areas where the protective layer of shingles seems sparse or inconsistent.
Pay attention to the roof edge as well. Shingles should overhang the edge evenly and the drip edge should be properly secured. Uneven shingles near the edges can allow water intrusion during heavy rains or strong winds.
Flashing and Roof Penetrations
The condition of the flashing is one of the most critical areas to check after any roofing project. Flashing seals the joints around chimneys, skylights, vent pipes, and other roof penetrations. If flashing is improperly installed or left loose, these become vulnerable areas where small leaks can develop over time.
Look for:
- Flashing that appears bent, lifted, or not fully sealed
- Gaps around exhaust vents, pipes, or skylights
- Any visible caulking that looks thin or uneven
Gutters and Shingle Granules
Check your gutters right after installation. It’s normal to find a small number of shingle granules in the gutters after new asphalt shingles are installed, but excessive granule loss can signal a quality issue. Also confirm that gutters are still properly attached to the fascia and haven’t been knocked loose during the roofing project.
Check the Yard and Property for Cleanup
A reputable roofing contractor will leave your property in excellent condition, but it’s still your job to verify the cleanup process was thorough before signing off.
Walk the perimeter of your home and check for:
- Stray nails and loose materials in the grass, driveway, and flower beds
- Old shingles or shingle pieces that may have been missed during debris removal
- Leftover materials like packaging, felt scraps, or roofing nail strips
Roofing nails are small and easy to miss, so a quality contractor will often do a magnetic sweep of the yard. If you find nails scattered throughout your flower beds or driveway, that’s worth bringing up. This isn’t just a cleanliness issue. A stray nail can damage tires, hurt pets, or injure children.
What to Check After Having a New Roof Installed on the Interior
The attic is one of the most overlooked areas during post-installation checks, but it plays a critical role in the long-term performance of your roof.
Proper Attic Ventilation
Poor ventilation is one of the most common mistakes that gets made during a new roof installation, and the consequences are expensive. Without proper airflow, heat buildup in the summer can warp shingles and shorten the lifespan of your roof. In the winter, poor attic ventilation contributes to ice dams, which can back water up under your shingles and cause structural damage.
Check that:
- Intake vents along the soffit are not blocked
- Ridge vents or box vents are in place and unobstructed
- Proper attic ventilation allows air to move freely from the soffit to the ridge
If you notice a significant difference in your energy bills in the weeks following installation, poor ventilation may be the cause.
Signs of Water Intrusion or Structural Issues
While you’re in the attic, look for any wet spots, staining, or light coming through the roof deck. Small errors in flashing or nail placement can create entry points for water that won’t be obvious from the outside. Early detection of any potential issues is far easier and less expensive than dealing with water damage after the fact.
Review Your Warranty and Documentation
After the roofing project wraps up, gather all paperwork and keep it in a safe place. This includes:
- Manufacturer warranty for your roofing materials (CertainTeed shingle warranties, for example, cover defects in the material itself)
- Workmanship warranty from your contractor covering labor and installation quality
- Permit documentation if applicable in your area
- Before and after photos for future reference and warranty claims
Understanding your warranty terms matters. Most workmanship warranties require regular roof inspections and routine maintenance to remain valid. Skipping annual inspections or ignoring minor issues can give an insurance company or manufacturer reason to deny a claim down the road.
Learn more about getting a roof inspection for insurance coverage here: Understanding Roof Inspection for Insurance Coverage Requirements
What a Final Inspection Should Cover
Before making your final payment, ask your contractor to walk the property with you. Good contractors welcome this conversation. A brief walkthrough together confirms:
- All visual cues of proper installation are present
- The roof’s condition meets the quality standards discussed before the project began
- Cleanup is complete and the property is in good shape
If anything seems off, document it with photos and bring it up with your contractor directly. Addressing potential problems before final payment is far easier than pursuing warranty claims after the fact.
Keep Up With Regular Roof Inspections After Installation
Even a well-installed roof benefits from routine inspections. Most roofing professionals recommend scheduling a professional roof inspection once or twice a year, particularly after heavy weather. West Virginia weather conditions, including strong winds, ice, and heavy rains, can accelerate wear even on a brand new roof. Regular checks let you stay ahead of any potential issues and protect your big investment for years to come.
Let Cardinal Roofing Handle Your Next Roofing Project
At Cardinal Roofing, we hold our work to high standards from the first shingle to the final walkthrough. As a CertainTeed certified contractor serving Huntington, Hurricane, Charleston, and surrounding West Virginia communities, we back every roof replacement with a 5-year workmanship warranty and a commitment to thorough cleanup and communication. We also offer free inspections within 24 hours and can assist you through the insurance claims process from start to finish. Call us today or request your free inspection online.
