No homeowner wants to be facing major roof repair project. It is wise to make small repairs to your roof before they become larger issues.Read through the following tips if you want to learn how to properly maintain your roof.
When your roof leaks during a rainy spell, note the place where water is coming in. When dry conditions return, go up on the roof, find the damaged spot, and repair it. Not only is there no way to quickly patch a leak, but your safety could be compromised on a slippery, wet roof. When the roof is dry, you can then fix the roof in a safe manner.
When fixing roof leaks, you have to be sure that the job is done correctly the first time. This refers to the fact that you do not stop with only a first issue. Check the whole roof so that you can see if there are more problems.
Don’t go up on your roof in inclement weather. Slippery roofs can mean major falls. You can really injure yourself, or worse, you could die. If you have to do any kind of work on a roof it needs to be a sunny and dry day.
Make sure your research when looking for a contractor. Don’t hire the cheapest contractor you locate.
When thinking about roofing, never forget to account for the climate. If you’re in a dry climate, a clay roof is a good way to keep your home cool. However, using clay tiles on a roof in a wetter, rainy climate can lead to quicker deterioration of those tiles. If you don’t know what material is best in your area, ask a professional.
Make sure any roofer you hire has adequate liability insurance. The main thing that this will show you about a policy bodes well for a contractor’s reliability.Secondly, in the event that something should happen to your house, the roofer’s insurance will cover medical costs.
When fixing a leak, you must finish the job right to begin with. If you detect the problematic area, don’t stop there. It’s easier to find and take care of all current and potential leaks at once, rather than have to repeat the repairs a few months down the road.
A good team can accomplish a job quicker and this usually ends up with a much cheaper final product.
Use background references to choose your roofing contractor. Once you have the references you should speak with the homeowners and see how well the job was done. You should also make it a point to have a look at some of these homes yourself. Drive by the houses your contractor worked at and pay attention to their roofs.
Get references from any roofing company you may hire. A legit company won’t mind giving you a few references. If a company is reluctant to do so, you should look into another company. This might be a sure sign of issues down the company.
Get contractor referrals from loved ones. Ask the people you know about their experience with different contractors, such as the services provided or the price. Ask how well contractors cleaned when they finished the job and if they offer warranties for future repairs.
Only hire a roofing contractor that is able to supply you with proof of current insurance and licenses.
Always research contractors you are considering. Never solely base your choice off of who is cheapest or who is the closest. Spend some time looking up local roofers. You can do this through the Internet, get feedback from others, or utilize services that help people to find trustworthy workers.
Don’t try to get too miserly when purchasing 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 you’re going to have someone work on your roof, they need up-to-date liability insurance. First, a roofer with liability insurance is a good sign that he is dependable. Secondly, the insurance will cover any damage to your roof that is caused by the roofer.
Keep your roof and other debris to make it last. If there is a build of debris, they’ll keep water from leaving your roof. When water stagnates, the materials that make up your roof can rot, which can lead to costly leaks.
Never pay the entire cost upfront before the job is finished. You may have to pay around 25% of the amount to get the job started, but try not to pay more than that. If the job is paid for in full, the roofers may not do their best work.
Ask your contractor you are considering what industry associations he takes part in. The top contractors are going to be involved in these groups to stay informed on the latest trends and current information. Not being an association member may signal a lack of dedication, and not as concerned with quality as you want him to be.
The age of your roof determines whether it needs to be replaced or not. Usually, roofs have a lifespan of 20 years before they need replacing. If your current roof was placed over an old one, you’re going to have to have it replaced once it’s twenty years old.
Make sure all your questions when hiring a contractor. The worst thing you can do not ask a question to yourself only to have a problem later on. If your contractor isn’t willing to answer questions, they’re probably not someone you want to work with.
Before installing your new shingles, check them thoroughly for any damage or defects. Leaks can occur if sub-par materials are installed. Make sure the shingles are strong and free from cracks and that the nails you use will penetrate the shingles and secure them onto the structure.
Don’t let anyone that doesn’t have demonstrated anything less than professional behavior to work on your home. You need the whole process to be professional so that you can be sure their work will be too.
When selecting your roofer, ask how long their business has been open. Those with long histories have learned how to please customers. Any new roofer on the scene may actually just be a scammer hoping to take your dollar.
It can be very dangerous to climb up on your roof. Roofs aren’t designed for people to be walking over them. Make sure to wear shoes with rubber soles so as to prevent slipping. A harness should also strongly encouraged.
Keeping your roof free from excess debris, such as dead leaves and branches, is an important part of maintaining it. If there is a build of debris, water can start to build up. Sitting water causes rotting shingles and layers, which can lead to expensive repairs.
Safety Plan
Architectural shingles can be a great addition to your roof. These types of shingles are much more aesthetically pleasing, and they also last longer too. They can also improve your home’s resale value; a roof with architectural shingles is a popular feature that’s in high demand in the real estate market.
OSHA requires roofing contractors to establish a safety plan for projects. This safety plan is needed because it helps you to be sure that the project will be completed correctly.
Never hire a contractor that isn’t 100% professional at all phases of your interaction with them. A contractor ought to be able to give you a reliable quite, for instance. You want to deal with professionals so that you can be comfortable that the job will get done right.
Take it slow when hiring a contractor for your roofing needs. Ask tons of questions to really suss out their expertise.
There’s one area of roof maintenance that many people forget about – roof boots. They are found along the roof fence and can become dried out. When this happens, leaks can occur. Therefore, you should regularly check roof boots, and as soon as they need replacing, be sure you replace them.
Determine your roof’s age so that you’ll know if it needs repairs or full replacement is needed. Knowing when to hire a contractor and replace it is dependent on how old it is.
Visit the BBB website before hiring a contractor. You’ll have access to complaints filed against the company. Check with the Chamber of Commerce in your area as well.
If the weather isn’t good, hold off on climbing on your roof. Fixing your home is never worth the injury you might receive by going out in bad weather. You need to know exactly what to do and know about what you are doing.
Do not just assume that you are in need of a new roof. Call a roofer and have them inspect it before you invest any money. People often pay a lot of money for a new roof unnecessarily. Instead, they could have repaired their old one for a cheaper price.
Watch out for those storm chasers.These contractors prey on residents in areas that have been recently hit by a major storm. Many of them are not from the area and have no documentation for your state. Some ways to spot these guys is through by the area codes on their contact information, vehicle sticker signs and references from other storm-ravaged areas.
Roofers are not all the same, so choose wisely. Don’t be fooled by snazzy advertising. Word of mouth generally is the best kind of advertisement. Consult with friends and family members or look for reviews online. What do local business groups think of the roofer? Hiring a bad contractor may cost you tons of money.
In order to minimize the effort to maintain your roof, you must give a little throughout and not neglect your roof. That opens you up to disaster down the road. Instead, you should take everything you’ve learned here into consideration to better care for your roof. When your roof is maintained, your life will be easier.
If you’re going to hire a contractor to do roofing for you, be sure that all of the correct paperwork is filled out. Bonds and permits are common requirements of most contractors. Call the building department in your area to verify everything that your contractor needs in order to get started.
