Your roof protects you from the elements at all times. This is reason why it is so important for you must keep it maintained properly. Too many homeowners neglect their roofs in a timely fashion. Use the following tips to take good care of your roof the right way.
Inspect your roof yearly. The most common time of year for a roof to suffer from damage is during the winter and spring months. So, the best time of year to check for damage is after the spring season.
If you have a leak when it rains, you shouldn’t attempt to climb up onto your roof and fix the problem until it has quit raining. You can’t walk safely on a wet and slippery roof.A dry is roof is a safe roof.
Always wear rubber-soled shoes when on a rooftop. Even if the weather is dry you don’t want to take any chances of slipping off the roof. It can be physically challenging to perform roof repairs.
Leaks come from having damaged shingles, but you should also inspect the foundations of your roof. Water can enter into your home anywhere that are rotting. You should examine all potential entry points to make sure there is no problem.
Never rely on quick fixes to maintain your roof. While it may seem like a cheaper choice, it can actually result in more damage in the future, costing you a whole lot more money. It’s best to fix problems immediately, instead of letting them get worse.
Never neglect safety precautions when planning repairs on your roof. You can be seriously injured by attempting to fix a leak during a storm. Put a bucket under that leak until weather conditions improve and wait for clear weather.
After you’ve narrowed down your list of contractors, talk to them about what kind of warranties they have available. You need to find someone offering a warranty that lasts for about three or more years. The warranty needs to cover defective materials and poor installation. You should receive a copy of the manufacturer’s warranty too.
Mow your lawn the day before your roof. This helps make it easier to find nails that fall from the roof. If the contractor uses a magnetized nail finder, it will work better in shorter grasses.
Anyone who does work such as this absolutely needs to have insurance. If your roofer does not have insurance and your property is damaged, you will have to foot the bill. The word of a roofer is not enough; be sure they can provide you with up-to-date proof of insurance.
There are several important questions you need to ask the roofer before you hire him. One important question 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 make sure their responses. If they don’t, move on asap.
Inspect your roofing materials prior to putting up new shingles. Lots of leaks occur from improper materials, such as nails that are the wrong length or cracked shingles. 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.
Always make sure that you’re not paying for the full amount up front if you don’t have to. You might need to pay a quarter of the entire price in order for work to commence, but avoid paying more than that. You would hate to spend a lot of money in case their work than expected.
Before you hire a roofer, ask what types of warranties he offers on his work. Sometimes, you may get a great warranty that can save you a lot of money. Also, make sure to get any warranties and estimates in writing, so you will have them in your possession. This will prevent disagreements down the line.
Insurance is vital when it comes to this line of work. If the roofer you use causes damage and they are uninsured, you may end up paying that bill. Don’t just speak with the person doing the job to see if they have the insurance, have them provide the insurance documents saying that it is comprehensive and current.
If you are concerned about a leak on the roof, you would be wise to take a garden hose and spray it. Not only will you know for sure whether a leak exists, you will also know exactly where it is. That’s cheaper than hiring help.
A living roof actually contains layers of soil that can be used to plant a garden or to grow greenery on it.
Don’t ever pay the full cost of a roof repair before the job has started. It’s not a sign of good faith for a company to want all the money up front. In fact many scam artists follow this technique and then never do any work. Only pay a portion upfront, and pay the rest when a satisfactory job has been completed.
Always ask a potential roofing company’s references. Honest companies have no problems giving you some references. If the company is unable to produce this information, another contractor should be hired. This is a tell-tale sign of issues down the road.
Ask any questions you have before letting a contractor work on your roof. The worst thing that could happen is if you don’t ask something and that becomes a problem you have to deal with later. If a contractor tries to avoid answering your questions, they should be avoided anyways.
If a roof leak has you worried, bring a hose with you and spray the roof down. This might help you know if you do indeed have a leak and where the leak is located. It is a much cheaper alternative to hiring someone to check for you.
If you want to give your new roof a one-of-a-kind look, such as having a metal roof or putting up turrets, talk with the roofer about their expertise with these things. Do not trust a contractor who has no experience with the kind of design you want. An inexperienced contractor will not provide a quality service if you need something very specific.
Get multiple quotes before hiring a roofing contractor. Some contractors have much higher prices that are crooks who want to milk you for your money. To make sure this is not you, evaluate the roofing market.
When it comes to maintaining your roof, one area that most people neglect are the roof boots. These boots reside at the roof fence, and they tend to dry 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.
Don’t let a contractor do work on your home if they don’t act professional in every area. You need to have confidence in the whole process is professional from the very beginning.
Check with the roofers in your area to see if a yearly maintenance contract is available. Problems happen, even with the best contractor. An annual checkup will insure that your roof remains in good condition.
The materials used for these roofs are great for reducing energy costs and should help you use less energy. You can even install such a metal roof over your current shingles.
When looking for a roofer, have them explain their project plans to you. He should speak about materials, clean-up, costs and other issues. Be sure that you’re knowledgeable about what the plans are going to be. If you think that the contractor you’re working with is not giving you enough information, or he’s making you uneasy, it’s not a good idea to work with that person.
Roof boots are an area of a roof that is commonly ignored. These rubber boots are located where the roof fence comes up and they can dry out very quickly when performing tasks. When they do, leaks usually are not too far behind so make sure this doesn’t become a problem area for you.
You should not make the assumption that you need a new roof. You should call a professional who can come inspect your roof before deciding to invest in a new roof. A lot of the time a person will pay for a new roof when all they really needed were just a few repairs which saves a lot of money.
Don’t verbally agree to contracts that aren’t written one. A verbal contract won’t protect you if anything happens down the work isn’t done right. Having a contract will protect you to prove that they have not held up their end of the bargain.
When you interview potential roofers, ask about their existing project schedule. In addition, inquire about the number of people that will be working on your roof and their expected completion date. Find out how many employees work for this company. Companies with lots of projects and few workers may encounter issues with time frames and deadlines.
Ask your friends and family for recommendations when you’re searching for a roofing contractor. This is one of the best ways to find someone suitable. They may be able to get you where to look.
Do not fall for door to door roofing companies. Reputable roofers with solid community ties generally do not need to actively seek out new clients on a door-to-door basis. The majority of legitimate companies normally establish appointments. Established roofing companies are also likely to employ roofers who drive vehicles with company identification. This may not always be the case, but it is definitely something to keep in mind.
When you are interviewing roofing a roofing company, ask them if they’re subcontractors. If the people you’re employing to work on the roof aren’t employed by that company, then there could be a potential liability issue. Make sure you are aware of any sub-contractors before hiring.
If you’re going to have to do some work on the roof, you need to do it with someone else. If someone is there, you’ll get the job done more safely.
This will give you avoid getting taken for a ride since you’ll know about the work that needs to be done.
If your climate is cold, avoid an accumulation of ice on your roof. The damage ice causes can be very costly. You can prevent ice build up by installing ice, drain or drip shield. Improving your ventilation system can be helpful too.
Watch out for those storm chasers.These contractors search for areas in the immediate aftermath of a storm. Many of them are from another state and have no documentation for your roof. 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.
Make sure any roofer you are considering has proper licensing. If you are not happy with the way the job turns out, there will not be anywhere for you to turn for help. You may be interested to know that you can get in trouble for paying an unlicensed contractor in excess of a thousand bucks. In most states, this means you are breaking the law!
This allows you move about on the roof without risking slips and falls.
Cleaning out your gutters often is great for your roof. As gutters become clogged with leaves and debris, water begins to build up. This increases your roof’s vulnerability to damage and leaks. Ideally, gutters should be cleaned every month.
One coat and your warranty that you have. Call your insurance company prior to painting it.A fresh new roof isn’t going to mean anything if it isn’t protected.
Clean the gutters often. Don’t do extra roof work if you preventative measures are possible. A big cause of a leaky roof are clogged gutters. Clean your gutters after every significant storm. Doing this regularly should cut down on roof repairs.
Make sure that your gutters are clean. Taking preventative measures can help you from having to do added work to your roof. Clogged gutters are often a common cause for leaky roofs. Be sure to clean gutters routinely, particularly if a big storm has come through. This will keep you avoid some costly repairs.
After having roof work done, when rain comes along, check the attic. This will make any leaks in your roof obvious. In addition, you will be able to notice weak shingles.
As was stated in the above article, it’s imperative you keep your roof maintained so it can keep your family and home protected. Keep the tips from this article in mind and keep your family protected all year long. You will find out that your efforts pay off.
If you need to do roofing repairs on your own you should be sure that someone is there to check on your from time to time. Keep in mind that you could find yourself in a bad situation if you have an accident without anyone around to help. At minimum, you need to have somebody on the ground checking on your condition at 10 minute intervals to make sure nothing’s gone wrong.
