A properly maintained roof is generally expected to last for fifteen years or so, but not without upkeep. You have to be sure you keep your roof properly. The following tips will help you some ideas about roofing.
Rubber soled shoes are a must when you get up on your roof. Even on a dry day, you need a proper grip. Stay safe to ensure you don’t slip and fall.
Inspect your own roof yearly. Spring and winter are times when damage the roof the most.
If you have a contractor coming to remove your old roof, be sure to cut the grass beforehand. It’s not uncommon for nails and other debris to land in the grass during construction. Shorter grass allows you to locate any errant nails. Even nail-finding equipment will work better when the grass is cut short, which makes the cleanup process easier and faster.
Don’t try to fix your roof in inclement weather. A wet roof could cause you to fall; this may result in a bad injury or worse. If you decide to repair your roof on your own, only do it when the weather is dry and sunny.
When looking for a good roofing contractor, ask your family, friends and co-workers for recommendations. If any of them have done business with this contractor, they can let you know how pleased they were with his overall work. You might also inquire about the clean-up involved after completion or whether certain materials and work was covered by warranty.
Rubber boots should be worn when you get up on your roof.
If your roofing company can’t fix a problem for several days, take some time to look for a quick band-aid fix. Try buying heavy duty plastic and layering it over the area. It’s an inelegant solution, but it may buy you some time.
Mow your lawn prior to having a contractor work on your roof is replaced. This will make the process of finding nails easily. If the contractor uses a magnetized nail finder, the shorter grass helps this tool work better.
When you have come up with a short list of possible contractors, check with each with regard to their warranties. The warranty should last at least three years. Keep in mind that a longer warranty is always better. The warranty should cover defective supplies and poor workmanship. The contractor should also provide you with manufacturer warranty copies.
There are some questions that one should ask a roofing contractor prior to the contract signing. One question to ask is the amount of nails that need to be inserted into every shingle. Three nails are usually doesn’t cut it. Ask about what their personal techniques and you just might get a good answer. If you have any doubt, keep looking.
If you hire a contractor who has workers to help them, it is often cheaper than hiring a contractor who works alone. The finished job is typically much cheaper because of the group effort put forth by the roofers. If you are hiring a single roofer, be sure that you aren’t overcharged for labor.
Make sure that your roofer has adequate liability insurance. The main thing that this will show you about a policy bodes well for a contractor’s reliability.Secondly, should something happen to your roof as they are working on it, their insurance should cover any damages.
Look at the materials you have before you put on new shingles. Installation is a big cause of leaks, whether it be from the wrong sized nails or cracked shingles. Be sure those shingles are crack-free and strong, and make sure nails secure and penetrate the shingles to keep them in place.
If you have already called a roofing contractor, but he or she is not coming for a couple of days, you might want to try a temporary fix. Get a sheet of heavy duty plastic and nail it up.
Always buy the best roofing materials you can afford. Even if the materials are cheaper, they may get worn out quickly, which means they will cost more in the long run.
Don’t consider ‘quick-fixes’ for your roof repairs. 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 take care of any problem as quickly as possible to prevent things from getting worse.
Never pay for your new roof in full before the work has begun. Sometimes you’ll find that a contractor will take your money and then won’t come back to finish things like they promised. Pay them a certain amount upfront, and then pay the rest after the work is completed and you’re happy with it.
When you have your contractors narrowed down, find out what kind of warranties are available. You want a warranty that is going to last for at least 3-5 year warranty. The warranty needs to cover defective supplies and sup-par workmanship, and you should have manufacturer warranty copies too.
Always be sure that you inspect your roof after there has been a lot of wind in your area. It’s very smart to catch any issues immediately as broken shingles can lead to flying debris and leaks. Check it over with binoculars or up close and personal.
If you plan on hiring a contractor, you should be sure they can provide complete credentials that are totally up to date. Nearly every locale needs licensed roofers, so make sure your roofer has the necessary paperwork.
Never hire a contractor that isn’t 100% professional at all phases of your interaction with them. For example, your roofer should give you a typed, well-worded quote. You want the entire process to be professional to ensure that their work will be too.
The age of your roof is the main factor in determining whether you replace it. Many roofs last around 20 years before they need replaced. If the roof you have now covered the old roof, you must replace it after 20 years.
Installing a coated metal roof is an efficient and “green” solution. The materials used for these roofs are great for reducing energy costs and they are 100% recyclable You can even reduce the amount of debris you have to dispose of by installing a metal roof right on top of your old one.
A living roof is comprised of enough soil to grow greenery on it.
When you’re thinking about hiring someone to work on your roof, you need to be sure that you look to the BBB first. Doing this will let you see any complaints that previous customers may have had with the contractor. You ought to speak with the Chamber of Commerce as well.
Don’t get discouraged if you’re unable to locate the source of a leak is originating from. You will find the source eventually if you use a water hose, and the use of a water hose and a buddy system can help. If your home is large, use cell phones to communicate so that water isn’t flowing into the house unnecessarily as you test different areas to find the leak.
Every roofing contractor is obligated to implement a safety plan. Failure to do so violates OSHA requirements. This plan is important in assuring you that your roofing project will be done correctly. Thus, make sure any prospective contractor has such a plan established. If you are not provided with this safety plan, it’s time to look for another contractor.
Ask prospective roofing contractors how long they’ve been roofing. Those who have been around in your area for a long time likely provide customer satisfaction. Anyone new to the area may be a scam artist who runs away with your money.
It is difficult to hire the best roofing contractor; therefore, it is vital that you do not rush into a selection. Ask people you trust for referrals. Get as much information from then as you can to assure the person you are considering hiring is worthwhile.
Keep your roof clear of leaves and gutters clean.If debris builds up, they’ll keep water from leaving your roof. When water stagnates, the materials that make up your roof can rot, which requires costly repair work.
Don’t assume you need to have your roof replaced. Before you spend your precious money, have an expert come out and examine your roof. People often make the mistake of paying for a whole new roof when all they needed were repairs.
No matter the contractor’s skill level, there are going to be problems down the line, especially if your area is prone to bad weather or extreme temperatures. A visit by a year will help you to keep your roof looking pristine.
All roofing contractors aren’t equal, so you must choose wisely. Do not get lured in by fancy advertisements. Recommendations from people you trust are reliable. First person word of mouth and online reviews are often more reliable than flashy ads. Check the contractor’s reputation with local business groups. Hiring a poor contractor can cost you thousands.
Take your time when choosing a contractor. Ask tons of questions to ensure they are worth speaking to.
Ask any roofing contractors you are interviewing how many projects they are currently working on. Ask how many workers will be needed to complete your roofing project, and how long it is expected 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.
When you need to hire a company to do your roofing, inquire as to whether their employees are sub-contractors. If the people they intend to have working on your home are not employed by the company, this can pose a liability problem. Make sure to check this in advance before entering into a repair contract.
Beware door-to-door roofing salesman. Reputable roofers with solid community ties generally do not need to actively seek out new clients on a door-to-door basis. Credible firms tend to set appointments instead. They also usually outfit their crew with uniforms and vehicles with the company logo. There may be a few exceptions out there, but you should always think twice.
Be skeptical of any company that solicit your business. A roofer that’s established and has a good reputation should not find it necessary to beg for business. Credible roofing companies usually prefer to set an appointment. They usually have employees wear uniforms and company vehicles. There are some exceptions, but you should always think twice.
A great tip for anyone who is working on their roof is to bring a ladder up there and then nail a couple pieces of wood down to keep the ladder in place. You can navigate around your the roof easier if you have a ladder. It will also reduce your chances of slipping.
Always be wary of the weather is about to happen before you do any roofing work. While rain is obviously weather you want to stay away from, it’s also not a good idea to work in strong winds.
Be aware of weather conditions before you do roof work. Rain is not the most optimal environment to be working in. Gusts of wind can hinder your balance and make you fall.
A little paint might be all it takes to void the warranty on your roof’s warranty. Call your insurance company prior to painting it.A new roof won’t mean much if it’s unprotected.
Painting your roof may not be the best option for your home. One coat of any type of paint may instantly void your roof’s warranty! Contact your insurance provider prior to doing anything. A new roof doesn’t mean anything if it’s not properly protected.
Check with the BBB before you are considering to find out if they have been filed against them. Most reputable companies have listings with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB has always been a powerful tool when dealing with any contracting services.
Clean those gutters. Taking preventative measures could keep you from having to do added work to your roof. A big cause of a leaky roof are clogged gutters. Therefore, it is important that the gutters are regularly cleaned. That will help you eliminate the need for repairs.
Tin roofs have undergone a lot of improvements. They don’t cost much and make a pleasing sound when it rains.
Before you tackle a DIY roofing project, ensure that another person is nearby. The worst thing that could happen is if you have some kind of an accident but nobody to help you. Be sure that a friend or relative can check on you, about every 10 minutes, to ensure your safety.
If you work on your roof and are able to make sure it’s taken care of, it will take care of your home for you. Given its vital role in protecting your home from weather, the importance of your roof can’t be overstated. Remember what you have read, and apply the advice as needed.
You can make your roof last longer by getting rid of moss or algae spots right away. They can damage roofing materials, which means they will have to be replaced more often. You can use diluted bleach on the area that is affected. Once to bleach as absorbed, rinse the are with pressure washer. If this is something you feel uncomfortable doing, enlist the help of a contractor.
