People usually don’t think about the roof until there’s a major problem. Many people don’t know much about them, and if a problem occurs, they may be scared. Keep reading to learn about properly maintaining your roof.
Examine your roof on a yearly basis. Springtime and winter are the harshest times of the year for rooftops. Therefore, make sure you pay attention to your roof at these times.
Inspect your own roof once a year at the bare minimum. Roofs tend to suffer the most damaged during winter months as well as spring time.
If you feel pressured by a roofing contractor, it’s time to turn them down and ask them to leave. Some of them will do whatever it takes to get your signature on a contract. This is never a good sign for the consumer, so stop them long before you get to that point.
Weather Conditions
If you are selecting a roofing contractor, they need proper liability insurance. If he has this insurance, there is a good chance he is reliable. This will also assure that should something happen during the roofing process, their insurance will cover it.
Safety should be a strong consideration with taking on your roof.You can get hurt if you try to fix your roof under severe weather conditions.Put a bucket under that leak until weather conditions improve and wait for clear weather.
If you have a leak, fix it temporarily. Get a sheet of heavy duty plastic and cover the leaking area with it. This isn’t the best way to handle leaks, but it makes for a good short term solution.
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 performing your own roof repair, only do it when the weather is dry and sunny.
Find out about warranties from all contractors you are considering. You need a warranty of at least three years, preferably five. The warranty should cover defective supplies and poor workmanship. The contractor should also provide you with manufacturer warranty copies.
It is important that you check the references of any contractor you allow them to work on your roof.Once you have their references, check them out and ask about value and quality of the work.You should also go and check out some of the addresses if you have the time. Drive by them and take a look at them carefully to figure out who to hire.
Check your roofing materials thoroughly before installation. Lots of leaks occur from improper materials, such as nails that are the wrong length or cracked shingles. Be sure that you have strong shingles that don’t have any cracks and that you’re using nails that can penetrate your shingles so that they are secured onto the structure.
Make sure to do your homework is done when you’re hiring a contractor. Don’t just accept the cheapest or first company you locate.
Get references for any roofing company you may hire. A reliable company won’t mind giving you references. If a company tries to skate by this request, look elsewhere. This can be a tell-tale sign of trouble ahead.
Make sure whatever roofing contractor you choose has 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, their insurance company would cover the costs.
Pay attention to details when selecting your roofer. If the person calls when needed and arrives punctually, you most likely have found a good contractor. A bid that is typed out on stationary could indicate that the person is also a professional. You want your roofer to have both qualities.
Don’t attempt to create a temporary fix for your roof with short-term solutions. You may think you’re saving money, but in the long run you could end up spending a lot more due to major damage. The smartest thing to do is to completely fix the problem as quickly as you can so that nothing bad happens later on.
Think about using architectural shingles on your new roof. These shingles are not only better looking than traditional shingles, they also have a much longer lifespan. They’re also valuable when you sell your house.
Make sure that the roofing contractor you hire has experience. You might try to get referrals from family and friends for personal recommendations. Hiring a contractor can cause untold damages and experienced could cost you a lot.
Get on the roof to check it following a strong wind if you cannot see anything from a ladder or the ground. You need to be able to see if there are any damaged shingles quickly so that you don’t have to deal with leaks. Check it over with binoculars or up close and personal.
After you trim the lost of possible companies, talk to them about what kind of warranties they have available. You want to be offered 3-5 year warranty. The warranty needs to cover defective supplies and sup-par workmanship, and you should have manufacturer warranty copies too.
Before selecting a roofing contractor, obtain several different quotes. You can’t trust every contractor. It’s important to compare prices and companies before choosing one to ensure you get good work at a good price.
If you plan on hiring a contractor, you should be sure they can provide complete credentials that are totally up to date. Nearly every state requires roofers to have certain licenses; therefore, so make sure yours has a current and valid license.
If you want a unique looking roof and might be thinking of having turrets installed or even having a metal roof put on, then make certain your talk with the roofer about their experience with those materials. If they don’t have much experience with that specific type of roof, then you need a different contractor. Don’t take chances with your roof!
The age of your roof determines whether you should replace it or not. Many roofs last for around 20 years prior to needing replacement. If your current roof was installed over an old one, you’ll definitely need to replace the entire thing once you’ve reached that 20 year limit.
OSHA requires every roofing contractor to establish plans for all projects. This will ensure the quality and safety of your project. Because of this, you shouldn’t hire a roofer unless you know they’ve developed a safety plan. Go with another roofer if they don’t have a safety plan.
Don’t think that you can cut corners when purchasing new materials for your home’s roof. The cheapest supplies aren’t necessarily the cost of the damage and repairs that substandard materials lead to.
Get the paperwork in order before hiring a contractor. Often, bonds or permits are required before your roof can even be touched. Contact your local government building department to determine what is necessary for contractors to start on your roof.
Keep your roof clear of leaves and gutters clean.When this debris builds up, they can provide a holding place for water. This water build-up can cause your shingles to rot, both which can cost you lots of money.
Keep safety in mind at all times. Roof work is among the most dangerous home construction jobs. You shouldn’t rush into anything. If you are facing inclement weather, just wait a bit. A roof won’t do you much good if you kill yourself working on it. Make all preparations that you can and be cautious at every step.
Don’t neglect the small things when hiring your roofer. Someone who shows up on time for an appointment or calls ahead when they say they will is probably dependable. You want to see both happen with your roofer.
When sorting through different roofing contractors, make sure to ask about how heavy their current workload is. Inquire as to the number of workers that will be required to repair your roof, and ask how long the repairs are going to take. Then you will want to find out the number of employees available at this company. A company that has quite a few projects going on, but not a lot of employees, can have a hard time meeting deadlines.
It is dangerous for a person to climb up on top of your roof. Roofs aren’t designed for human traffic. Wear shoes with rubber soles to prevent slippage. You should also try to strap on a harness.
Stay alert for contractors who are looking to scam you. These contractors look for work in areas that have been recently hit by a major storm. Some are not local and aren’t documented to work in your state. If you do not recognize the area code or the signs on their truck looks fishy, they might be storm chasers.
Quality roof contractors carry insurance that covers accidents should one happen on your roof. If you choose a contractor without a good insurance, you have to pay for their damages; so you need to ensure that their contractor has insurance. Ask for this and contact that insurance company to see if they can verify it.
When hiring a contractor, get a roofing specialist. You know what you’re dealing with, get their license number. If the contractor’s license number has a “C”, then he is a specialist. However, if the license number has a “B”, he is simply a basic contractor and not a specialist.
Don’t ever work on the roof without help.
You might be tempted to paint your roof, but it isn’t a good idea. Applying some paint to your roof could void the warranty you have on it. Inquire with your own insurer prior to doing any painting. A new roof is great, but you should have the security that insurance provides.
Learn more about the different roofing materials. Each material has its pros and negatives. However, it is not the most aesthetically pleasing of materials, and the look may not fit into the house’s appearance. Asphalt shingling is cheaper and easier to install, but they don’t last as long. You can also consider the advantages/disadvantages of wood roofing material.
Better Business Bureau ratings are an excellent resource to use when hiring a roofing contractor. Good companies typically get themselves listed with the bureau, while less than stellar companies typically shy away from it. Utilize the power of the BBB when you are looking to hire any contracting service.
After this article has been read, it should make you comfortable to know that you can take care of the roof that covers your home. If you keep your roof in good shape, you won’t have as many issues over time. Keep these tips in mind and you can tackle any roofing issues with ease.
After having roof work done, when rain comes along, check the attic. This lets you check to see if there are any leaks that haven’t been taken care of. It also makes you aware of possible weak shingles.
