While it is true most roofs will last up to 15 years, you shouldn’t count on it lasting that long without help. You have to do your part by taking care of the roof. Keep reading to find out some key things about roofs.
Safety should always be your primary concern when repairing a roof. You can get hurt if you try to fix a leak during a storm. Use a bucket to catch the water until you can fix the problem.
If a leak pops up during a storm, wait until the area is dry to start fixing it. You can’t walk safely on a wet and slippery roof.A dry roof is much safer.
Wear shoes with rubber soles whenever you need to get on top of your roof. This will help you to keep your balance to stay safe. When you have to make repairs on your roof you’re probably going to be in a few awkward positions that can have you loosing your footing so you need to be safe.
When fixing a leak on your roof, it is imperative that you get the job done on the first go. This means never stop with only a single spot causing the issue. Check every square inch of your roof so that you can see if there are more problems that you’re going to have to take care of.
It is important that you check the references of any contractor you hire. Once given the references, ask the homeowners who the roofer worked for how they feel about the quality and value of the work. Also, check out a few of the addresses for yourself. Drive by and take a look before making your final hiring decision.
Mow your lawn the day before your roof. This will make it easier to find nails that fall from the ground. If you get a contractor that has a nail finder with magnets on it, short grass will also help this tool work more efficiently.
If a roofing salesman is giving you a high pressure pitch, tell him no thank you and show him out of your home. Once the salesman locks you into a contract, you and your home are at their mercy. This makes it essential to prevent being pressured into an agreement.
It is important that you check the references of any contractor you allow them to work on your roof.Once given the references, check them out and ask about value and quality of the work. You should also go and check out some of the addresses in person. Drive past them and see for yourself before deciding who to hire.
You should never go crawling around your roof seeking out damaged spots. If you think there are problems, hire a professional to do an inspection. Your roof could cave if you walk over a damaged area.
If your contractor won’t be out for a day or two, fix it temporarily. Get yourself a sheet of heavy duty plastic and you can nail that over the leaking area.
When shopping for a contractor, be sure to ask about warranties. You want a warranty of at least three years, but the longer the warranty the better. You should have defective supplies covered and poor workmanship, too. Don’t forget to get copies of any warranty that you are offered.
Don’t attempt to create a temporary fix for your roof repairs. You may think you are saving money, but ultimately you might have more damage costing more in the end. The smartest thing to do is to completely fix the problem as quickly as you can so that nothing bad happens later on.
Be sure that your roofer has insurance. If the roofer lacks sufficient insurance and you suffer damages, the cost will be on you. When it comes to insurance, you shouldn’t just take roofers at their word. Make sure you see documentation so that you know their insurance is up to date.
When you have come up with a short list of possible contractors, be sure to ask about warranties. You want a warranty that is going to last for about three or more years. The warranty needs to cover defective supplies and sup-par workmanship, and you should have manufacturer warranty copies too.
Have you checked the contractor’s credentials? Roofers should be licensed. Also, ask for their insurance so that you are not responsible for damage.
If you’re looking into hiring a roofer, you should ensure they have proper credentials that are updated. Nearly every state requires roofers to have certain licenses; therefore, so carefully look at their licensing is valid and current.
It can sometimes be difficult to locate a leak in your roof. A systematic approach works well, so enlist the help of a friend and a water hose. As you do the testing of different areas, use your cellular phone to talk with your buddy if need be.
Check your roofing materials thoroughly before putting new shingles up.
If you are worried about a roof leak, spray the roof with your garden hose. You’ll then see if a leak is there, plus the exact locale so that you can get it fixed. This costs much less than hiring contractors.
Ask your roofing contractor if they offer a warranty is offered on their work. Some roofers may offer better deal than others. This will allow you to clear up any disagreements that may occur at a disagreement later on.
Which associations is your contractor a member of? Good contractors keep current with the latest trends and technology in their industry. If they’re not, question whether they are dedicated to their field.
Ask the roofing contractor how long they’ve been in business. Those who have been working in your area for some time likely provide customer satisfaction. Anyone who hasn’t been around for very long could be a scammer ready to steal your money.
Before a contractor starts working on your roof, don’t hesitate to ask any question you may have. This will allow you to get the full scope of the job. Don’t bother with any contractor who isn’t willing to take the time to talk to you and answer all of your questions anyway.
Architectural shingles can be a great alternative roofing material. They’re great looking and also last longer.
Whenever your roof is being repaired, or an installation is taking place, be sure and inspect the materials thoroughly. Sometimes, shingles will crack when being installed, and this can be trouble later. Inspect all roofing materials to before and after roof installation to ensure that everything is okay.
Many people neglect the roof boots when roofing. These rubber boots are located where the roof fence comes up and they can dry out very quickly when performing tasks. When this occurs, you are very susceptible to leaks so be sure to check on them and replace if necessary.
Check with the roofers in your area to see if a yearly maintenance contract is available. No matter the contractor’s skill level, things are certain to arise, especially in extreme climates. Just one inspection per year can make a huge difference.
Inspect all materials that are being used on your roof. Be certain your materials are intact at all stages of roofing work.
Don’t hire someone unless you have a contract in writing. Verbal contracts lead to hard-to-solve disputes. Having a written contract will protect you from disputes.
No matter how good your roofer is, there are going to be problems down the line, especially if your area is prone to bad weather or extreme temperatures. An annual inspection will keep your roof remains in tip-top shape.
Take it slow when hiring a contractor. Ask everyone you know if they have hired a roofing contractor and what the results were. Ask a ton of questions about the contractors these people have used to ascertain whether they are worth speaking to.
It can be very dangerous to climb up on top of your roof. Roofs aren’t designed for us to walk on. Make sure to wear shoes have rubber soles to prevent slipping.You should also consider wearing a harness if you have one.
Is your roofer going to hire sub-contractors? If the workers aren’t employed by them, liability issues could arise in the future. This is one of the legal points you want to check on before you hire a contractor for the job.
Ask how much work your contractor is currently working on. Find out the number of employees work for this company. Companies with lots of current projects and few employees are more likely to miss deadlines.
Your shoes should have rubber soles. Don’t take safety for granted while repairing your roof. You will get better traction, which reduces the chances of slipping and falling off of the roof. Roofs tend to get slippery. Maintaining your footing can be very difficult if you do not prepare for it.
Roofing Materials
Always stop for a few minutes and consider the climate in your local area before selecting which materials you will use on the roof. For instance, wood shingles will not do well in extremely dry climates. Certain types of synthetic materials are unable to withstand high temperatures. Long, hard winters can wreak havoc on metal roofing. Contact a pro to ensure that your choices are best.
Make sure to consider your climate as you select roofing materials. For example, wood shingles are not a good option for arid climates. A lot of roofing materials do not last long in very hot climates. Metal roofs aren’t ideal for colder conditions.Talk to a professional contractor to ensure you’re making a good choice.
If a contractor can’t prove he has a license, don’t hire him. If a contractor is not licensed and provides poor work, you are in trouble. What if you spend over a thousand dollars on a contractor without a license? This is against the law in the majority of states.
Don’t work on the roof alone.
If you are getting a contractor to work on your house, look for someone who has a lot of experience in roofing. You can tell this from the contractor’s license number. If you notice the number starts with a “C” then you know it’s been issued to a real roofer; numbers that begin with “B” belong to contractors of a more general type.
Watch out for those storm chasers.These are roofers that try to take advantage of the damage caused by storms. Many of them are from another state and don’t have the right documentation for your roof. If their vehicle has magnetic signage, they might be storm chasers.
Check with the BBB prior to hiring a contractor to do your roof. Good companies typically get themselves listed with the bureau, while less than stellar companies typically shy away from it. Companies like the BBB can be extremely helpful in the process of screening contractors.
Never allow ice accumulate on the roof.Ice can be damaging in several ways. You can help protect your roof from ice by using ice shields or drip shields. Good ventilation is also go a long way.
Although large trees are a great addition to your property, they can be enemy to your roof. Always keep trees near your roof trimmed to prevent damage from stray branches. This protective measure will also keep leaves from clogging your gutters.
If you take good care of your roof, you can maintain a good home too. In a sense, your roof is a very valuable asset. Take these tips to heart, and use them as necessary.
Don’t rely on a phone quote; these often change once the roofer gets out to see the project at hand. These quotes are never the final results and are just used to lock customers into a contract. They can’t accurately tell you a price, no matter what they say, so keep this in mind.
