Though most roofs are meant to last for 10-15 years, you need to do your part. You need to make sure to maintain your roof properly. Keep reading to find out some key things about roofs.
Don’t procrastinate on replacing shingles. You might be tempted to put off a repair, but that can actually make the situation worse. Repairing or replacing shingles right away will save you money and a headache in the long run. Prevention is key.
Inspect your roof annually. Roofs tend to suffer the most damaged during winter months as well as spring time.
If you’re taking care of a leak, you need to make sure you fix it properly the first time around. This means that it’s not a good idea to patch up the first leak you come to and 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.
Consider your climate when thinking about roofing. Clay roofs work great for dry climates and can help to keep the home cool. Clay roof tiles should not be used in wet climates as they will cause your roof to deteriorate much quicker than other materials would. If you have questions about this, ask a professional.
When you are choosing roofing contractors, it’s important to look at background references. When you speak with the referring individual, inquire about the quality of work and overall satisfaction. It’s a good idea to check out the work for your own peace of mind. Drive by the houses your contractor worked at and pay attention to their roofs.
It is important that you check out your potential contractor’s history before you hire. Once you’ve got them, give them a call and ask them about the value and quality of the work. You should check some of their previous work. Drive by them and look at the work before determining who to hire.
Always research roofing contractors. You shouldn’t hire the first or the cheapest one you find. Instead, you should research all the roofers that are in the area. There are many ways to find good roofing candidates. You can get references from friends and family, research online consumer forums, or utilize a service to find reputable companies.
There are quite a few things that need to ask the roofer before signing any contracts. One question to ask is the quantity of nails that need to be inserted into every shingle. Three nails are usually doesn’t cut it. Ask question about their procedures and ensure you are satisfied with their responses. If they don’t, walk away.
Does your roofer have liability insurance? If he has this insurance, there is a good chance he is reliable. If anything happens while they work on your roof, the insurance will take care of it.
Always make sure that you don’t pay the whole project before it’s all done. You might need to pay a quarter of the entire price in order for work to commence, but avoid paying anything more. You want them do a low-quality job or less than you anticipated.
Don’t use short-term solutions for your roof repairs. It may seem like a money saver, but it may end up causing more damage, and that may cost you more. It’s best to fix problems immediately, instead of letting them get worse.
You should never climb on your own roof to inspect for damage. If you are having trouble with your roof, you should hire a professional. You do not want to be walking on the roof cave in on you.
Make sure the roofing contractor you hire is trained and skilled. You can ask family and friends for roofing contractor recommendations. This is important because you don’t want to have a poor roofing job done which would result in costly repairs in the future.
A good team working in unison can accomplish a job quicker and this usually ends up with a much cheaper final product.
You should generally avoid walking around your roof seeking out areas that are damaged. If you think your roof has problems, be sure to hire a professional to look at it. You do not want to have the roof cave in under your feet.
Make sure your materials are inspected before using them.
Contractors with workers tend to be cheaper than those who work alone. The more people working on the roof, the quicker the job can be completed. A person working alone will often charge the same price, but will work more slowly. Make sure the labor cost is not too high.
Get references for any roofer you are thinking about hiring. An honest company will be happy to provide his references to you. If you find that the company doesn’t want to give you any, it may be time to look somewhere else. This usually indicates a problem with the contractor isn’t a true professional.
The age of your roof is a good indication as to whether it should be replaced. Roofs usually have a maximum of twenty years before they need to be replaced. Therefore, once your roof reaches this age, you need to replace it in order to prevent damage to your home.
Keep your roof clear of leaves and gutters clean.When this debris builds up, water pools. This can damage shingles, both which can cost you lots of money.
How long has the contractor been in business? Those who’ve been around for years must have satisfied customers. Anyone that is unknown could be looking to scam you for your money.
Don’t forget the little things when hiring a roofer. Someone who shows up on time to appointments or calls ahead when they tell you is most likely dependable. You want both happen with your contractor.
Find out if your contractor is a member of an industry association. Good contractors keep current with the latest trends and technology in their industry. If they are not a member, inquire as to why not, and rethink the possibility of hiring them.
Roof boots are an area of a roof that is commonly ignored. They are found along the roof fence and can get dried out. When they do, leaks usually are not too far behind so make sure this doesn’t become a problem area for you.
Make sure you have a number of quotes before you hire anyone to do your roofing job. Some contractors are crooks who want to milk you for your money. To avoid being ripped off you must evaluate the market before making any decisions.
Regardless of the expertise of your roofer, issues are bound to crop up, particularly if you live in an area that has extreme temperatures. An annual inspection will ensure that your roof properly maintained.
There’s one area of roof maintenance that many people forget about – roof boots. Rubber boots are where your roof fence rises, and they easily dry out. This opens up your roof to leaks, so check them out frequently.
When selecting professional roofers, do some research with the BBB. This will show you to see whether or not previous customers of the companies you are considering have lodged complaints. The Chamber of Commerce in your location is another good place to seek information on contractors.
OSHA mandates that roofers establish safety procedures on projects. This safety plan is important for ensuring projects are completed properly. Because of this, you shouldn’t hire a roofer unless you know they’ve developed a safety plan. If you are not provided with this safety plan, it’s time to look for another contractor.
Don’t agree to a contract; get a written down. A lot of times when a person has a verbal contract won’t protect you if anything happens down the road. A written contract is the best way to prove whether or disagreements arise.
Take it slow when hiring a contractor. If you do not know how to approach your selection, ask someone you know who has had roofing work done to recommend someone. Ask the contractors you are considering lots of questions to ensure you are comfortable with them.
Quality roofing companies always carry insurance that covers unexpected events. If the company has zero insurance, you are responsible for any damages that occur, and so you ought not hire contractors lacking sufficient insurance. Ask for this and verify it.
When you are looking into hiring a roofing company, ask them if the workers are sub-contractors. If the workers aren’t employed by them, liability issues could arise in the future. Review everything carefully prior to signing an agreement.
Don’t assume that you need a whole new roof is necessary. Call a pro and have them inspect it before you invest any money.
Ask your contractor about their workload to make sure they have enough time to help you. Will other workers be present, and if so, how many? How might this affect the completion date of the project? Find out the number of employees within the company. If a company has a limited number of employees but multiple jobs being done, then this could lead to problems with meeting their deadlines.
Never let ice accumulate on the roof. Ice can potentially cause damage roofs in several ways. You can help protect your roof from ice by using ice shields or drip shields. Proper ventilation also be a big help.
Be skeptical of any company that has roofers going door-to-door. A good roofer that has a solid reputation isn’t going to need to solicit your business. Credible roofing companies work on an appointment schedule. They usually have their workers wearing uniforms as well as driving company vehicles that have logos on them. There are, however, always exceptions.
Always pay attention to what kind of the weather is about to happen before you do any roofing work. While rain is obviously weather you want to stay away from, be careful with strong winds.
Look out for storm chasing contractors. There are contractors that hang around residential areas after a huge storm has hit. Most of them travel from state to state and do not have proper licensing or insurance. Other signs of these false contractors include non-local area codes, references from different locations, and removable stick-on vehicle decals.
When choosing a contractor, try to find a specialist in roofing. Ask him for the contractor’s license number.
While you’re hiring a contractor, you want a roofing specialist. His license number can provide you with the gateway to information on his area of expertise. When it comes to licenses, C equates to roofing specialist and B indicates general contractor.
Don’t make any decisions based on phone quotes since final expenses will always be substantially different. These quotes are being used to attract customers over the phone.
Never make decisions based solely on telephone price quotes, as the numbers are sure to change. These quotes are being used to attract customers by phone. You won’t get an accurate quote without an inspection first, which of course can’t be done over the phone.
If you maintain your roof well, it will protect your home well, too. You could say your roof is the most important part of your home, as it protects the rest. Follow these tips when you need advice on maintaining your home’s roof.
Work to get your roof in top shape. Your roof is a very large piece of your home’s exterior. An old roof that looks like it hasn’t been properly cared for can scare off would-be buyers and otherwise just devalues your property.
