Your roof should be viewed as your home’s first line of defense against the elements. This is why you must keep it maintained properly. Too many homeowners neglect their roofs in a timely fashion. Use the following tips to take good care of your roof the right way.
Inspect your own roof annually. Spring and winter months tend to damage the roof the most. For this reason, these are the times to pay close attention to your own roof.
Don’t hesitate when it comes to replacing worn or broken shingles. Replacing or repairing your roof as problems arise can save you both time and heartache. Your roof will last longer if it is properly maintained.
Always maintain a system to keep yourself secured whenever you go up on the roof. This is very important because many people are hurt or killed every year as a result of a fall from a roof.
While leaks sometimes do come from problems with your shingles, it is also a good idea to check with your roof’s foundation as well. Water can enter into your home through dry-rotted siding. You should examine all entry points to make sure there is no problem.
When hiring a contractor, be sure they they are experts in their field. If you know anyone who recently had some work done on their roof, ask them for references. You would hate to hire the wrong roofing contractor because this could result in wasted time and money.
Mow your lawn prior to having a contractor comes to remove your roof.This helps make things much easier to find nails that may hit the ground. If they bring a type of magnetic nail finder, short grass will also help this tool work more efficiently.
A contractor who hires employees is usually cheaper and more efficient than a contractor who works alone. The more people working on the roof, the quicker the job can be completed. Be sure that if you have someone do it alone, they are not charging you too much for labor.
Make sure any roofer you choose has adequate liability insurance.The mere existence of such a roofer is the fact that they are a reliable person. This will also help you if something were to go wrong with the project, their insurance will cover it.
The age of your roof is a major factor in deciding whether it needs replacing. 20 year old roofs are typically at the end of their lives. Some homes have been fitted with a new roof right on top of the old one; if you’re in this situation it may be time to tear both off and start fresh.
When shopping for a contractor, find out what kind of warranties are available. You want to be offered 3-5 year warranty. It should cover both defective supplies as well as poor workmanship, and they should also give you photocopies of manufacturer warranties too.
When you’re trying to hire someone to work on your roof, see how long they’ve been doing roofing. If they’ve been in business for quite a while, it is obvious they know what they are doing. Companies that are new or don’t have an established history may simply be scam artists who want your money.
Make sure a roofing contractor has current, and make sure thy are current.Nearly every state makes licensing a requirement, so inspect your contractor’s paperwork to ensure that they are fully compliant.
Use your hose to spray a leaky roof. This might help you determine if you do indeed have a leak and also where the leak is located. This costs much less than hiring contractors.
A roofing team working in unison can achieve good results more quickly.
Hire only roofing professionals able to show proof of insurance and necessary licenses. Do not hire a contractor who cannot provide you with these documents. Poor workmanship can actually lead to more extensive damage in the long run.
The age of your roof is the main factor in determining whether it needs to be replaced or not. Many roofs last around 20 years before they need replaced. If you installed a roof on top of your older roof, you really do need to replace it.
If you want your roof to last quite a while then you need to make sure that sticks and leaves are cleared off of it regularly. If debris builds up, it can cause water to stagnate. This can cause your roof to begin to rot, leading to leaks.
Do not worry if you cannot find your roof. You are going to find the problem, and having a buddy will help as well.If your home is large, talk on cell phones in order to prevent unnecessary deluges of water during testing.
Ask your roofer about the professional organization to which he belongs. These associations help him stay current on the best roofing materials and techniques for installation. Otherwise, they may not have the necessary dedication to quality work.
Don’t buy roofing materials. The initial cost savings of low priced materials cannot outweigh the best option as they can end up costing you more money down the road.
If your roof is not visible from the ground, climb up and inspect it following a big storm. You need to be able to see if there are any damaged shingles quickly so that you don’t have to deal with leaks. Because of this, you need to inspect your roof. Just remember to use safety measures when climbing on your roof.
Get several quotes before you pick a contractor. There are contractors out there that try and squeeze as much money from you as they can. To avoid falling for a scam and losing your money, evaluate the roofing market.
When deciding on a contractor to work on your roof, do some research with the BBB. This is the best place to search for complaints filed by previous home owners against potential contractors. You should also check with your local Chamber of Commerce.
If you want to redesigned your roof, for instance by installing a metal roof or getting some turrets, talk with the roofer about their expertise with these things. If they seem to have little, look for another roofer. You should take any chances when it comes to your roof.
A reputable roofing company can provide you with proof of insurance that covers potential damage and accidents that might occur. Without this insurance, you would be responsible for damages. So, don’t hire a roofer without insurance or with limited insurance. After your contractor gives you the information, call the insurance company and verify it.
When deciding on a contractor to work on your roof, check with the BBB. This will allow you if any previous customers of the companies you are considering have lodged complaints. You can also check the Chamber of Commerce as well.
OSHA requires all roofing contractors to establish a safety plan for projects. These plans are for making sure projects get completed properly. Thus, make sure any prospective contractor has such a plan established. Hire another contractor if they cannot product a safety plan.
Never agree to a contract that aren’t written out. Verbal contracts can lead to hard-to-solve disputes. A written contract is the best way to ensure that they will be liable for any lapses in quality of work.
When you are looking for a contractor, make sure he provides you with information regarding the entire project. They should talk about the products they use, how they clean up, the costs, and more. You need to understand everything he says. If you aren’t comfortable with the information your contractor is providing you with, it may be time to look in a different direction.
This will protect you an advantage of uneducated customers.
Given the number of variables you have to consider, you should weigh your choice of roofing contractor very carefully. If you do not know how to begin looking, talk to your family and friends if they have any advice. Ask detailed questions to get a quality contractor.
Ensure that your roofer has completed and acquired all paperwork before starting work. They may need to get permits or bonds before starting.
Learn a bit about roofing prior to hiring a roofing company. Learn about materials, local regulations and typical costs. This can help you avoid being taken advantage of since you’ll have an idea of the type of work you’ll need done on your roof.
Make sure your shoes that have rubber soles. It is dangerous working on your roof. Rubber-soled shoes are ideal to provide the traction and prevent slippage or falls. A roof can get very slippery when wet.It will be hard to stay standing on a roof if you don’t prepare properly.
Get all paperwork to your contractor well before they are scheduled to start working. Your contractor might need permits or bonds before they’ll be able to start working. Call the local building department to find out the details of what a contractor needs before starting on your project.
Watch out for storm chasers! These unethical contractors are known for going around to homes after there has been a lot of damage because of a storm. Many are from another state and have no documentation to work on your roof. If their vehicle has magnetic signage, they might be storm chasers.
Ask how much work your contractor is currently doing. Find out how many employees will be fixing your roof and ask about a time frame. Find out the number of employees within the company. A roofing company with few employees and many clients will have a hard time keeping up with their workload.
Never let ice to build on your roof for long periods of time if you reside in a colder climate. It can damage your roof in a variety of roofing problems. You can help to stop ice by using ice shields or drip shields. Proper ventilation will also be a lot longer.
What weather do you face where you live? In drought-prone, dry regions, wood shingles aren’t your best bet. There are also plenty of synthetic options, but they are not suitable for the hotter climates. Metal roofs aren’t ideal for cold winters. Consult a professional (like a contractor) to make sure you make a smart choice.
As you can see, properly maintaining your roof is essential if you want to keep yourself and your property safe. Use the tips from this article to avoid serious roof problems and keep your family safe. Your efforts will pay off tenfold.
Do not hire contractors unable to provide proof of licensing. The law will not be on your side if your contractor does not fulfill his promises. Big problems can occur if you give more than a thousand dollars to a contractor who’s unlicensed. In the majority of states, this is against the law!
