While the typical roof is designed to keep a home protected for ten to fifteen years, you shouldn’t count on it lasting that long without help. You have to be sure that you’re taking care of your roof is maintained and cared for properly. Keep reading to find out some helpful advice about roofs.
Consider your climate when thinking about roofing. Clay roofs are great in dry climates and can help to keep the home cool. Clay roof tiles applied in damper climates will cause rapid deterioration. If you are hesitant if it will suit your area, you can inquire with a roofing professional.
When making roof repairs, safety needs to be a priority. Fixing a leak while in the middle of the storm can cause you serious injury. Put a bucket under that leak until weather conditions improve and then look at the roof to determine whether or not you can fix the issue.
When fixing a leak on your roof, you have to be sure that the job is done correctly the first time. This means you’re not going to want to only stop when you’ve discovered a first issue. Inspect the entire roof to be sure that need to be fixed too.
Wear rubber soles whenever you need to get on your roof.
Avoid fixing your roof when things are icy, snowing or raining. Slippery roofs can mean major falls. You can really injure yourself, or worse, you could die. If you want to handle roofing projects on your own, make sure to do the work when the weather is dry.
Make sure that you’re safely secured whenever you need to go on your roof.
Mow your lawn the day before your roof. This helps keep debris and falling nails that may hit 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.
Always remember the rubber boots if you are going up to work on your roof. Even if the weather is warm and dry, such shoes are necessary for grip. Any sort of roof repairs are going to put you in a dangerous situation.
Make sure your roofer has credentials, valid certifications. Nearly every state requires roofers to have certain licenses; therefore, so inspect your contractor’s paperwork to ensure that they are fully compliant.
The age of your roof is a major factor in deciding whether to repair or replace it. Most roofs only have a lifespan of twenty years before they must be replaced. If your current roof was installed over an old one, you must replace it after 20 years.
If you feel pressured by a salesman, do not agree to anything and show him to the door. 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.
Do not get upset if you cannot find your roof leak. 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 you are dealing with a roof that’s on a large home, talk on cell phones in order to prevent unnecessary deluges of water during testing.
If a roof leak has you worried, spray your roof with a garden hose. This might help you determine if you have a leak and also where the leak is located. This will prevent unnecessary costs from a lot cheaper and quicker than hiring a professional.
Always make sure that you don’t pay the full amount up front if you don’t have to. You may have to pay around 25% of the amount to get the job started, but try not to pay more than that. You wouldn’t want them to perform less work than you anticipated.
Having a well-maintained roof will help you keep your house in good shape. In many ways, the roof on your house is among the most important parts of your home. Follow these tips when you need advice on maintaining your home’s roof.
