While the typical roof is designed to keep a home protected for ten to fifteen years, that is not the same as being maintenance-free. You have to be sure to maintain your roof as best as you can. The following tips will help you some ideas about roofing.
Ensure you thoroughly inspect your roof at least yearly. A roof will suffer the most damage during winter and springtime. This means it is important to pay extra attention during these times.
Look over your roof at least once a year.Roofs are commonly most damaged during winter months as well as spring and winter.
Though shingles could be the cause of leaks, take a look at your roof’s foundation. If there is dry rot on your roof, water can get into your house. You need to be checking all entry points to make sure there is no problem.
Don’t try to fix your roof in inclement weather. A wet roof can cause you to fall; this may result in a bad injury or worse. If you are doing your roof yourself, only work when conditions are sunny and dry.
Wearing rubber boots whenever walking on top of your roof is necessary. Even if the weather is dry you don’t want to take any chances of slipping off the roof. Fixing things on your roof indicates you will be in some awkward positions that could cause you to slip, so stay safe.
If you are waiting for your roofing contractor to show up, temporarily repair the leaks yourself. Get some heavy duty plastic material and cover the leaking area with it.
Just before your roof is removed for repair, mow your lawns. This will allow you to have an easier time locating nails that fall on the ground so you can pick them up later. If they bring a type of magnetic nail finder, the shorter grass helps this tool work better.
When you have come up with a short list of possible contractors, ask them about the warranties they provide. You want to be offered 3-5 year warranty. The warranty should deal with poor work and defective materials, and they should also supply you with copies of the manufacturer warranties too.
When you’re trying to hire someone to do roofing for you, do some research first. Don’t just hire the cheapest guy or the first one you find. Instead you need to look around at different roofing companies where you live. Look online, ask friends for recommendations, or use a professional service to find trustworthy workers for your project.
Make sure any roofer you hire has the licensing necessary to do the work. Do not trust the roofer to tell you the honest truth about what he says. Contact the building department where you live and see what is necessary.
Don’t consider ‘quick-fixes’ for your roof. You may feel like you’re saving money, but over time, the problem is only going to get worse, and will cost a lot more to fix. Get the problem fixed today to avoid disaster tomorrow.
A roofing team working in unison can accomplish a job quicker and this usually ends up with a much cheaper final product.
Sometimes a contractor with his own workers can be more cost effective than a contractor who has no workers. A small team of roofers can frequently get the job done faster, resulting in cost savings. Make sure that solo roofers are not overcharging you for labor.
Get references from any roofing company you are thinking about hiring. A reliable company that is honest is going to always be glad to give you a few references. If the company is dodgy about references, it’s probably best to just move on. This is a read flag that the work isn’t going to go as planned usually.
When you’re trying to hire someone to work on your roof, see how long they’ve been doing roofing. Contractors who have a long work history are more likely to provide excellent service. If the contractor is new, it can be very difficult to gauge their legitimacy. It could be someone out to scam you.
If you think your roof is leaking, you would be wise to take a garden hose and spray it. This might help you determine if you do indeed have a leak and also where the leak is. It is simple and much cheaper alternative to hiring a professional.
Any roofing contractor you hire needs to have proper licensing and insurance. Do not hire a contractor who cannot provide you with these documents. Without these qualifications, if a problem should occur, it will be up to you to pay for damages; this could cause you thousands.
Keep your roof clear of leaves and gutters clean.When this debris builds up, water stays put. This can damage shingles, which will cause costly leaks.
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. When debris builds up, water pools. This can damage shingles, lead to rot and cause leaks.
You want to identify shingle damage as soon as you don’t have to deal with leaks.Give it a quick look-over every time, but make sure to be safe about it.
Consider having your roof done with architectural shingles. These shingles are not only better looking than traditional shingles, they also have a much longer lifespan. Also, because so many people love them, they can increase resale value on the home.
Make sure to ask plenty of questions are clearly answered before letting your roofing contractor begin work.The worst thing is that you do not ask a question to yourself only to have a problem later on. If you can’t get your questions answered by a contractor, don’t work with them.
Find out whether the roofer you want to hire is available to do yearly maintenance on the roof. Even a perfectly executed roofing project can incur damage later on. This is especially true in parts of the country with extreme heat or cold. Just one inspection per year can make a huge difference.
When you are looking into hiring a roofing company, see if their workers are sub-contractors. If the company does not directly employ those who will work on your roof, there might be liability issues later. Make sure you are aware of any sub-contractors before hiring.
A reputable roofing company can provide you with proof of insurance that covers potential damage and accidents that might occur. If a contractor doesn’t have insurance, you should steer clear of them because you will have to pay for any damages. Have your contractor give you this information and also contact the provider to have it verified.
Don’t assume that a whole new roof. Call a pro and have them look at it before making that decision.
Roofers are not all the same, so choose wisely. Avoid choosing because of a splashy ad. Word of mouth happens to be a great indicator of a reputable business. Speak with friends or look at online reviews. A contractor’s relationship with other area businesses is very telling. Hiring a sub-par contractor may cost you a whole lot of money.
Determine your roof’s age to see if it needs repairs or full replacement is needed. Knowing when to replace your roof largely depends on how old it is.
Ensure that your chosen roofer has the necessary paperwork before they begin the job. Often, bonds or permits are required before your roof can even be touched. Call the building department in your area to verify everything that your contractor needs in order to get started.
If the local weather is unfavorable, hold off on climbing on your roof. Fixing your roof is not worth injuring yourself or death. You need to know what you are doing and be safe about it.
Ask possible roofers about their present workload. See how many workers you’re going to have to have working on the project and what kind of time frame you’re looking at. You also want to ask the number of employees in the company. If the company doesn’t seem to have enough workers to meet the current workload, then they may not be the company to choose for your project.
Make sure to consider your climate as you select roofing materials. For instance, wood shingles don’t work well in arid regions. Synthetic materials are not last very long in hot climates. Metal roofs are not good for cold winters. Talk to professionals to be sure that the choice you make is a roofing contractor to discuss your options.
Always pay attention to what kind of weather is about to happen before you do any roofing work. While it’s usually not a good idea to work in the rain obviously, it’s also not a good idea to work in strong winds. It is easy to lose your footing when a strong gust of wind blows.
Don’t work on the roof alone.
Find trusted workers from the BBB, Better Business Bureau. Most reputable companies have listings with the BBB. Don’t overlook this powerful resource when you are conducting your research.
Never allow ice accumulate on your roof for long periods of time if you reside in a colder climate. Ice can cause plenty of damage to a roof in several ways. You can help protect your roof from ice by using ice shields or drip shields. Proper roof ventilation will also helps to prevent the problem.
Don’t rely on a phone quote; these often change once the roofer gets out to see the project at hand. Sometimes, contractors low-ball quotes over the phone to reel in customers. Therefore, do not assume anything related to your cost.
This will help the ladder from falling.
Clean out gutters. Damage to your roof can often be prevented with proper maintenance. This will eventually lead to a leaky roof if not treated. Clean them routinely, and always after a major storm. Doing this regularly should cut down on roof repairs.
A little paint might be all it takes to void the warranty on your roof’s warranty. Call the insurance company prior to attempting a paint job. A new roof won’t matter if it’s unprotected.
What sorts of guarantees does the company offer? Not only do you want to receive a product guarantee, but you want a workmanship guarantee too! Have the contractor give you, in writing, that your satisfaction will be guaranteed.
Regularly cleaning out your gutters is an excellent way to maintain your roof’s health.Clogged gutters can back up water can’t flow away freely and cause leaks. Make sure the gutters are cleaned monthly.
When hiring a roofing contractor, be sure and get several quotes from different companies. Compare their prices and also what they can guarantee before you decide. It can mean a lot of money and time saved.
Make sure that your gutters are clean. Don’t do extra roof work when simple preventative measures can be taken. Clogged up gutters are one of the major causes of a common cause for leaks. Clean them routinely, especially if there has been a storm. This should help you will spend on roof repairs.
Make sure to have your roof inspected a minimum of once a year. You need to take a look at it (or better yet hire a pro) to make sure there aren’t any potential issues popping up. If you neglect your roof, you may lose a lot of money in the long run on repairs.
If you decide to make repairs to your roof on your own, make sure that there is somebody around to check on you. You never want an accident situation only to be undiscovered for a long period. Have your buddy check on you every so often to ensure you’re doing OK.
To increase your roof’s lifespan, immediately resolve any algae spots and moss. Such unsightly areas can harm your shingles and require additional repairs. Use bleach to get rid of the damage to the area. Rinse the area after the bleach solution has set. Hire a contractor if you aren’t sure about your ability to do this.
Get quotes from roofers.Compare each quote with what they offer and make a better decision.This might save you a lot of money and time.
Be sure you regularly care for your roof to ensure that you minimize any repairs you have to make in the future, which will save you time and money. Little repairs can be done here and there, replacing damaged shingles when you can and cleaning when you need. As simple as these things are, they can cause severe issues over time.
A functioning roof helps your home function well, too. If you think about it, the roof on your home is a very important asset. Take these tips to heart, and use them as necessary.
