If you’re a typical homeowner, you probably don’t know a lot about or concern yourself too much with the subject of roofing. But, given the importance of the roof to any home, you need to be sure your roof is in good shape. This piece is meant to teach you all you have to know about roofing. Keep reading and learn what you need to know.
Inspect your roof annually. Roofs are commonly most damage in the spring and winter.
Rubber boots should be worn when working on the roof. You need rubber soles to get good traction even when it is dry and sunny. Fixing things on your roof indicates you will be in some awkward positions that could cause you to slip, so stay safe.
If you find out that your roof is leaking when the weather is bad, you shouldn’t attempt to climb up onto your roof and fix the problem until it has quit raining. You could compromise your safety on a slippery roof. A dry roof is much safer.
When fixing leaks, it’s important to do the job right the first time around. This means that it’s not a good idea to patch up the initial spot has been fixed. Inspect your roof to be sure that need to be fixed too.
When hiring a roofing contractor, checking their background references is an absolute must. Follow up on the reference you are given and contact them for their experiences with the contractor you are considering. Visit some of the homes on the list. Walk or drive past the homes to check out the roof and, if homeowners are outside, stop to ask some questions.
Make sure you do your homework is done when you’re hiring a contractor. Don’t just accept the cheapest contractor you can find.
Avoid Paying
If you’re going to have someone work on your roof, they need up-to-date liability insurance. If the contractor has this insurance, he is more likely to be a reliable professional. Secondly, the insurance will cover any damage to your roof that is caused by the roofer.
Avoid paying full amount for your repairs upfront.You may have to pay around 25% of the amount to get the job started, but avoid paying more than that. You wouldn’t want to avoid having them to perform less than what they were supposed to.
You don’t want to walk on your roof to inspect for damage. If there are issues, you should hire a professional. You don’t want to have the roof cave in under your feet.
Don’t use short-term solutions for your roof repairs. This will cause damage in the future and is not cost effective. You have to make sure to fix the issue completely; that way, you avoid problems down the line.
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 has a license requirement, so be sure that they have the proper licensing.
The age of your roof often determines if it needs to be replaced. Many roofs only last around 20 years prior to needing replacement. If your current roof was placed over an old one, you really do need to replace it.
Insurance is crucial in this line of work. A contractor without insurance can be very dangerous. That’s because if he causes further damage to your roof or gets injured on the job, you will be liable for the expenses. Don’t just speak with the person doing the job to see if they have the insurance, get documentation that they do and go over it carefully.
Ask prospective roofing contractors how long they’ve been roofing. Those who’ve been working in your area for a long time obviously know how to keep their customers happy. Anyone who hasn’t been around for very long could be trying to scam you.
If you’re having a hard time locating a leak, bring a hose with you and spray the roof down. You will be able to see if there is really an leak and assess the damaged areas. This costs much less than hiring a professional.
Ask the contractor what what warranty is offered on the work done. Some companies may offer you a deal that is a little better. Make sure you always get your warranty on paper and hold onto it. This way, no one can dispute on the terms of the agreement.
Don’t pay for a down payment before the work done. Many conniving contractors actually never return to finish work after receiving full payment only to disappear once they receive the funds.
Don’t let anyone that doesn’t have demonstrated anything less than professional behavior to work on the roof of your home. You want the whole process to remain professional to ensure that you can be sure their work is too.
Do not get discouraged if the location of a leak is escaping you. It’s only a matter of time before you find it through the process of elimination and using a water hose may help in combination with a buddy-system. As you aim the hose at different areas of the roof, have your assistant look for signs of leakage. Use a cell phone to communicate with each other.
As you can now see, most people who own a home don’t know squat about roofing. But to keep your home’s roof in good condition, you need to learn the essentials about roofing. This is important for the safety of your family.
