People don’t spend much time thinking about the roof until there’s a problem. The majority of homeowners don’t know much about roofing, which means that roof repair decisions can be stressful. Keep reading so you need to know about properly maintaining your roof.
Inspect your own roof annually. Roofs are commonly most damaged during winter months as well as spring time. Because of this, you must pay special attention during these months.
If you find out that your roof is leaking when the weather is bad, wait for it to dry before you find out where exactly it is and try to fix it. You could compromise your safety on a slippery roof. A dry roof is much safer.
Some leaks are caused by shingles, but you should check your roof’s foundation. Water could be seeping in from somewhere else, such as dry-rotted siding or gaps along windows or doors. Look to every area that could be an entry point,including any area with rotted wood, so that you can fix the problem for good.
Make sure that you’re safely secured properly every time you need to go on your roof.
Don’t go up on your roof in inclement weather. If you’re working on a wet roof, you’re putting yourself at risk of injury or death. If you work on the roof on your own, only do it when the weather is dry and sunny.
Mow your lawn before the contractor work on your roof. This will make it easier to find any nails that may hit the ground. If they bring a type of magnetic nail finder, short grass will make things much easier.
When looking for a good roofing contractor, ask your family, friends and co-workers for recommendations. Ask the people you know about their experience with different contractors, such as the services provided or the price. As about how clean they were, too.
There are quite a few things that need to ask the roofer before signing any contracts. One important question to ask is the amount of nails they will put in each shingle. Three nails are usually doesn’t cut it. Ask them about the procedures that they give is satisfactory. If you do not, go with another contractor.
Turn down offers made using pressure tactics. Roofers who try to sell their product this way are not people you want to deal with. These people will not stop annoying you until you sign their contract and you will always lose, so stop it before it starts.
If you’ve called a roofer, but the roofing contractor you contacted can’t get there for a couple days, you may want to make a temporary leak repair. Get a sheet of heavy duty plastic and you can nail that over the leaking area with it.
When it comes to your roof, you should never utilize temporary fixes. It may seem like a money saver, but it may end up causing more damage, and that may cost you more. Always fix issues quickly and completely, to avoid major issues later.
Make sure that the roofing contractor you hire is trained and skilled. You might consider asking family and friends for good people. This is crucial since you want to have a poor roofing job done which would result in costly repairs in the future.
If you plan on hiring a contractor, you should ensure they have proper credentials that are updated. Nearly every locale needs licensed roofers, so carefully look at their licensing is valid and current. In addition, contractors should have full liability insurance in case they have an accident at your home. That way, you will not be liable.
You never want to just get on your roof and try finding damaged areas yourself. If you feel there might be a problem, be sure to hire a professional to look at it. You certainly shouldn’t walk on the roof and it ends up caving in.
The age of your roof often dictates whether or not you replace it. The average lifespan of a roof is about 20 years. 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.
Once you have your potential contractors list narrowed down, be sure to inquire about the provided warranties of each company. You want at least a 3-5 years.The warranty should deal with poor work and defective materials, and they should also supply you with copies of the manufacturer warranties too.
Ask your roofing contractor if they offer a warranty on their work. One company may offer you a better warranty than another. Additionally, get your warranty in writing when you get your estimate, this way you have documentation in your possession. That allows you recourse if anything happens.
Be sure that you’re hiring a potential roofer that has the proper licensing before they do any work. Do not simply believe that he is legitimate based off what is required.Call up the local building department to find out what is needed.
Ask roofing companies for references. Any good company will oblige you by providing references. If the roofer is reluctant, walk away. This might be a sign that the contractor isn’t a true professional.
Ask a warranty on their work. Some contractors might offer better coverage than others do. This will prevent possible disagreements that may occur at a later time.
Check to see how long contractors are in business for and how many employees work for them. A new company is not necessarily bad, but a company with a long history of happy customers is your best and safest bet. Those who have a short history in the area may be scammers who abscond with your funds.
Ask prospective roofing contractors how long their company has been roofing. Those who have been around in your area for some time obviously know how to keep their customers happy. Anyone who hasn’t been around for very long could be a scam you.
Hire only roofing professionals able to show proof of insurance and necessary licenses. If they aren’t able to, don’t think about hiring them. You won’t have any recourse available when they do a bad job which ends up costing you a lot of money to fix.
Only employ roofing work to a contractor who can prove he has valid insurance and proper licensing.
Never permit work to be done on your house by anyone who doesn’t conduct themselves in a very professional manner. For example, they should allow you to get a quote that has an easy to read layout before the contractor starts. You want to deal with professionals so that you can be comfortable that the job will get done right.
Don’t take any shortcuts when you buy cheap roofing materials. The cheapest supplies aren’t necessarily the cost of the damage and repairs that substandard materials lead to.
Whenever you have to repair or replace something on your roof, you have to check over the materials thoroughly. Shingles can be cracked or damaged during shipping. Installing these defective items can lead to costly repairs later. Be sure that all materials are in good condition before and after all repairs.
Don’t let anyone that doesn’t have a professional attitude do any work on your roof. You want the whole process to be professional to ensure that their work is too.
When you’re thinking about hiring someone to work on your roof, you need to be sure that you look to the BBB first. The BBB is a reliable source to find out about other customers’ past experiences with contractors in your area. Contact your Chamber of Commerce for more information.
When having a roofing contractor repair or inspect your roof, you need to be sure that you look to the BBB first. This will show you to see whether or not previous customers of the companies you are considering have lodged any complaints with any contractors you are thinking of hiring.You can also check the Chamber of Commerce as well.
Talk to your friends and relatives if you need to find a roofer. They can recommend a contractor to you or warn you against one, based on their own experience. Another source of reputable recommendations is other contractors. Speak to any plumbers, electricians or other home maintenance contractors you know and ask their opinions. If nothing else, it can help you start correctly.
Now that you’ve come to the end of this article, you know a bit more about roofing. When you care for your roof properly, you will be rewarded with fewer troubles with it over the long run. Keep this information in mind, so any issues you encounter can be tackled with ease.
Not all roofing contractors know what they are doing, so be careful when choosing one. Avoid choosing because of a splashy ad. The best way to find a great roofer is by getting a personal recommendation. Read online reviews and speak with friends. Check local business groups for the contractor’s reputation. Choosing the wrong contractor to do the job can be a very expensive mistake.
