Five Roofing Shortcuts That Sound Good,
But Cause A…..Very…..Long…..Delay
Some Roofers Reuse Parts, Skip Steps, And Leave
Your Home At Risk. We Never Will.
Most homeowners in the Miami Valley assume a roof is a roof. As long as the shingles look good, they think everything’s fine. But here’s the truth: what you can’t see is what actually matters most. And that’s where too many roofing contractors take shortcuts that save them money… but end up costing YOU big time.
As “Master Elite” roofers, we do things differently. We never, ever, ever take an installation shortcut. It goes against our core values and simply will NOT happen. We specialize in COMPLETE roofing systems, where every component is pristinely installed according to manufacturer guidelines.
But with others… shortcuts likely will happen. And today, we’re pulling back the curtain. Here are five of the most commonly cut corners in roofing — and why you should care.
Five Commonly Cut Corners By Roofing Contractors
You won’t believe the corners we’ve seen contractors cut — seriously. The biggest problem? Homeowners never know… until it’s too late. Well, we’re here to put you “in the know.”
Here are the five corners roofers cut the most often… along with our guarantee to NEVER take any of these shortcuts — ever.
#1. Skipping The Starter StripsStarter strips are essential for protecting the edges of your roof from wind uplift. Unfortunately, many roofers either skip them entirely or make them out of leftover shingles.
The result? Your shingles can blow off during the next big storm in Ohio.
At BCS Roofing & Solar, we use GAF-manufactured starter strips that properly seal the roof edge and protect against high winds… every time.
#2. Reusing Old Flashing
Flashing is the thin metal installed where your roof meets chimneys, walls, and valleys. It’s your first line of defense against leaks.
Some contractors try to “save you money” by reusing old flashing. But here’s the truth: Used flashing = future water damage… sooner rather than later.
We replace all flashing with brand-new premium materials that are installed by experienced pros to ensure a watertight seal that actually lasts.
#3. Improper (Or No) VentilationYour roof needs to breathe. Without proper attic ventilation, heat and moisture can build up, causing mold, rot, and (inevitably) voided warranties.
And guess what? Many roofers install attic ventilation lazily. They have no strategy — just whatever is most convenient for them at the time. It’s a recipe for an absolute DISASTER.
Well, as you might’ve guessed, we do ventilation differently (and better) as well. Specifically, we install brand-new, perfectly-placed ventilation systems as part of every residential roof replacement. Your roof (and HVAC system) lasts longer. Guaranteed.
#4. Underlayment That’s Not Up To CodeUnderlayment is the moisture barrier between your shingles and decking. Some contractors use the cheapest underlayment they can find. They don’t care if it’s from the same manufacturer. They don’t care if it’s proven to hold up in the Miami Valley. And they don’t care if it’s right for your roof — we do care.
This is roofing malpractice.
We use GAF premium synthetic underlayment — the best in the roofing business. It lies flatter, resists tearing, and offers longer protection against rain infiltration. And like every roofing component, it’s guaranteed to perform well.
#5. Inconsistent Nail Patterns
Yes, even the nail pattern matters. In fact, it’s one of the most important installation requirements to get right… Yet, so few do get it right. Many roofing crews rush this part of the process, or they intentionally use fewer nails to lower their material costs. In other cases, they’re just not trained well enough to consistently keep the nails within the strike zone.
We follow GAF’s exact nail placement specs and use AT LEAST four nails for every single roofing shingle we install. And we have a 99.9% nailing accuracy. This means we’re 999 out of 1,000 when it comes to placing nails properly.
Want to discuss your roofing, solar, or siding project with a trusted Miami Valley contractor? Contact BCS Roofing & Solar today for your free and accurate quote.
