Cupping shingles on brand new roof?
tonyj1959
| Posted in General Questions on
Hi everyone,
I just had a new roof installed on my house and noticed quite a few of the shingles were cupping, especially along the eaves (see photo). After doing a little digging, I came across a post that said if it tends to occur every three feet or so it’s probably because the shingles were stored on the ridge of the roof (which they were) it would give a bend to them. What I couldn’t find is an answer as to what, if anything, can be done to fix them? The roofer who installed the shingles turned out to be a real jerk so I’m wondering if there’s anything I can do on my own to fix the cupping without involving him?
Thanks,
Tony
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Replies
You may have problem or it may be that they haven't had enough warm weather to lie flat yet. I'd wait a couple of weeks before getting too worried. My bet is they will be fine.
They were butted too tight together. Go read the label on package to your roofer. Call your lawyer or live with it. It take about three seconds to enter the building trades residentially including my own entry. But it is amazing what one can learn from reading install directions and attending some Joe L seminars... reading Fine Homebuilding and JLC for a few decades... heading to Providence, RI annually, talking 2x4s with fellow contractors... etc.
In my decades of building not one roofer has ever followed the directions on shingle packets to the letter. Never ever.
Another example, plywood and OSB is to be installed with gaps between sheets. Watch someone install it... most times they bang it together as tight as they can. "I'm really doing it right, look I have no gap that's how good I am."
Not being at the site, Malcolm may be right. If they do not lay down check to see if they are butted tight and see if that is making them stay up. It's never happened to me but I have seen too tight cause issues though rare too.
Thanks, AJ. Funny you should mention that about not leaving the recommended 1/8" gap between the sheets of plywood because they did not do that either. They butted them tight together with a hammer before nailing them down. It was 82 degrees and sunny here today and is supposed to be same tomorrow. I guess I'll give it a couple weeks and hope that Malcolm is right.
Tony,
Even when I clicked on your photo to enlarge it, I barely discerned the phenomenon that is troubling you.
I vote with Malcolm. Once you have a stretch of sunny, hot weather -- you may have to wait for summer in the case of a north-facing roof -- your shingles will probably soften and lay down nicely.
I agree with AJ, every single professionally installed roof I have removed has been high nailed. If this is a new roof on a new deck it looks like crap. Before it glues down get up there lift some shingles and take pictures of where the nails are driven, bet they are above the glue line. They will buckle forever and guess what, no warranty.
Not a fan of roofers
'is it leaking?' 'no? go away'
May I suggest the following since your concerned to call the roofing manufacturer, request an inspection and if it passes or fails to request the representative to put it in writing. Should the roof fail in the future and it passed inspection you have this letter to hold up your shingle warranty. If it fails the inspection you have grounds to pursue the contractor. If you owe him money, by you not paying because you claim your not satisfied will not hold water in court. Courts don't like contractors and they certainly do not like people who don't pay their bills either. The contractor will have his contract to force a lien and final payment (foreclosure) unless you can prove the work is faulty which can take years and thousands of dollars for you to prove your roof is bad. This then brings the real problem most homeowners face. Most all contractors are not insured for faulty workmanship unless they carry errors & omissions insurance. Most do not have assets to collect on. Point... No need to pick a fight unless you have ALL your apples in the basket before you start swinging.
I concur with Martin and Malcolm.