No homeowner wants to be facing major roof repair project. It is important to nip issues in the bud before they end up becoming big problems. Read through the following tips if you want to learn how to properly maintain your roof.
If you discover a leak in your roof while it’s raining, examine it when it’s dry and fix it. You could compromise your safety on a slippery roof. A dry is roof is a safe roof.
Though leaks may be the result of shingle issues, you may also need to inspect your roof’s foundation. Dry rot in siding can lead to leaks. Check everything over to ensure it is up to snuff.
Don’t procrastinate on replacing worn or broken shingles. Replacing or repairing shingles immediately saves you both time and money spending in the future. Your roof will last longer if it is properly maintained.
There are some questions you need to ask a roofing contractor prior to 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 about the methods they use to find out whether or not they give good answers. If you are not happy with their response, walk away.
Never hire a roofing contractor who cannot provide references. You should ask the reference about the quality of the work and the price paid. It’s a good idea to check out the work for your own peace of mind. You can take a look at the work the contractor is capable of.
If your appointment with the roofer is scheduled, but the roofing contractor you contacted can’t get there for a couple days, you may want to make a temporary leak repair. You could purchase heavy plastic and put it over the leaking area and fasten with nails.
Make sure the roofer you hire is trained and skilled. You might try to get referrals from family and friends for you. This is important because you want to have a poor roofing work that could be expensive later on.
Ask your friends and relatives for references if you need a new contractor. You need ask questions about cost, quality and whether they were pleased overall with the work. Also find out what kind of warranty their roofer gave and whether he cleaned up the job site.
After narrowing down your list of roofers, make inquiries about warranties. You want a warranty that is going to last for at least 3-5 year warranty. The warranty should deal with poor work and defective materials, and they should also supply you with copies of the manufacturer warranties too.
Insurance is vital when it comes to roofing. If you work with an uninsured contractor and something is damaged, you are going to have to pay for any damage that might occur. 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 it will be a little while before a contractor will come to fix your roof, you should probably think of a temporary solution. Get yourself a piece of heavy plastic and you can nail that over the leaking area. This isn’t the best way to work with leaks, however, it works in a pinch.
The age of your roof will determine whether it should be replaced. Most roofs have a lifespan of twenty years or so before they must be replaced. If your existing roof was put directly into an older one, you must replace it after 20 years.
Always check a roofing contractor. Any reputable company will be more than willing to give you by providing references. If a company tries to skate by this request, you should look into another company. This might be a read flag that the contractor isn’t a true professional.
When hiring a contractor, be sure they they are experts in their field. Talk to loved ones for suggestions on who they used. You would hate to hire the wrong roofing contractor because this could result in wasted time and money.
Don’t get frustrated if you’re unable to locate where a leak on your roof. You are going to find the problem, and having a buddy will help as well.If it’s a big house, talk on cell phones in order to prevent unnecessary deluges of water during testing.
It is never a good idea to neglect the care and maintenance of your roof. This could lead to very serious problems down the road. Use what you’ve learned here to take good care of your roof. Maintaining it properly will save a lot of trouble and money for years.
When meeting with prospective roofing contractors, request a minimum of three references from past clients. An honest roofer will be eager to provide his references to you. If the roofer is reluctant, walk away. Move on to another firm.