What Can Go Wrong with a New Roof?
What Can Go Wrong with a New Roof? (Real Stories from Lancaster, PA Homeowners)
Getting a new roof should be a stress-relieving experience. You’ve invested in protecting your home, and now you can sleep easy… right?
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. At Craftsman Roofing Group, we’ve been called in after the fact to fix or inspect roofs that went wrong — sometimes just weeks or months after installation. And we’ve seen it all.
Here are real issues Lancaster homeowners have faced with new roof installations — and how you can avoid becoming the next cautionary tale.
Improper Ventilation = Mold in the Attic
Most Roof Replacements in Lancaster Cost Between $9,000 and $20,000
Homeowner Story: East Hempfield Township
A family had a beautiful new architectural shingle roof installed… but within six months, they noticed a musty smell upstairs. After inspection, we found the roofing contractor failed to install proper ridge and soffit ventilation. The trapped heat and moisture created mold growth in the attic insulation.
What Went Wrong: Poor airflow can shorten roof lifespan and cause health concerns.
How to Avoid It: Ask your roofer for a ventilation plan — it’s as important as the shingles themselves.
Roof Leaked After the First Rain
Homeowner Story: Downtown Lancaster
Just three weeks after installation, a thunderstorm rolled through. The next morning, a homeowner woke up to a wet ceiling in the master bedroom. Turns out the flashing around the chimney was never replaced — just caulked and reused.
What Went Wrong: Shortcuts on flashing and waterproofing.
How to Avoid It: Ensure flashing, pipe boots, valleys, and chimneys are being replaced, not reused.
Leftover Nails in the Yard — Kids Got Hurt
Homeowner Story: Manheim
A young couple with kids had a new roof put on. A week later, their son stepped on a roofing nail buried in the lawn. They found dozens more after walking the yard with a magnet.
What Went Wrong: Cleanup wasn’t thorough. No magnetic sweep, no follow-up.
How to Avoid It: Ask if your contractor includes a full magnetic nail sweep of the lawn and driveway.
Shingles Installed in Cold Weather — and Didn’t Seal
Homeowner Story: Lititz
A roof was installed in January. By April, after a few high-wind days, shingles were lifting and blowing off. Why? Shingles require sun and warm temps to activate the adhesive strip that seals them in place.
What Went Wrong: Poor weather conditions for installation — and no hand-sealing done.
How to Avoid It: Avoid installations below 40°F unless the roofer hand-seals every shingle.
No Permit Pulled — Homeowner Fined
Homeowner Story: Lancaster Township
One homeowner was thrilled with their new roof… until the township sent a notice saying they never received an inspection or permit for the job. The roofing crew had skipped the paperwork, and the homeowner was left with the fine.
What Went Wrong: Contractor didn’t follow local code.
How to Avoid It: Always confirm the contractor pulls the permit, not you — and get it in writing.
Wrong Color Shingles — “They Said It Would Match”
Homeowner Story: Mountville
A homeowner chose what they thought was a weathered wood tone to match their neighbor’s roof. But when the roof went up, it looked much lighter than expected. The contractor had swapped the brand last minute without notifying them.
What Went Wrong: Poor communication and bait-and-switch materials.
How to Avoid It: Ask for a sample board and written confirmation of the exact brand and color.
Roof Warranty Denied Due to Improper Installation
Homeowner Story: Rohrerstown
A homeowner noticed some shingles slipping after year two. When they filed a warranty claim, the manufacturer sent an inspector… and denied it. Why? Nails were overdriven, and the starter shingles were installed backward.
What Went Wrong: Improper installation voided the warranty.
How to Avoid It: Hire a certified installer with manufacturer training and oversight.
Final Thoughts: The Roof Is Only as Good as the Roofer
A “cheap” new roof that causes problems down the line isn’t a bargain — it’s a liability.
Here’s what to look for in a trusted Lancaster roofer:
- Written scope of work and materials
- Photos of key areas before & after (flashing, vents, decking)
- No payment until cleanup is complete
- Local references and warranty registration
- Manufacturer certifications (GAF, Owens Corning, etc.)
Get Peace of Mind the First Time
If you’re thinking about a roof replacement or need a second opinion, Craftsman Roofing Group is here to help. We provide:
- Transparent pricing
- Real photo reports
- Financing options
- Lancaster-based support
- Serving Lancaster, Mountville, Manheim, Lititz & surrounding areas.
- www.choosecraftsman.com
