You will often refer your house as “the roof that is over your family’s head”. The roof is an important part of your home, and definitely more than in a metaphorical sense! The information below will help protect your roof and keep water out of your home.
Look over your roof carefully at least once per year. Roofs are commonly most damage in the spring time.
Safety needs to be first. Trying to fix a leak during a rainstorm can result in serious injury or even worse. Therefore, if you have a leak while it’s raining, put a bucket down until the storm passes. Once it does, you can then get on top of your roof to fix the issue.
Safety should be a strong consideration with taking on your roof.You can get hurt if you try to fix your roof under severe weather conditions.Put a bucket where it’s leaking and then look at the roof to determine whether or not you can fix the issue.
Make sure any roofer you hire has adequate liability insurance. The main thing that this will show you about a policy bodes well for a contractor’s reliability.Secondly, if something were to get damaged while your roof was being worked on, their insurance should cover any damages.
It is important that you check the references of any contractor you hire. Once you have their references, give them a call and ask them about the value and quality of the work. Visit some of the homes on the list. Look at the work done and judge it for yourself.
You should generally avoid walking around your roof and try finding damaged areas yourself. If you have any doubt about the structural integrity, you should hire a person to examine things. You don’t need to run the risk of the roof collapsing when you go on it.
Speak with your contractor about what warranties they provide for their work. Some companies may offer better warranty options than others. This will ensure there shouldn’t be any disagreements about any of the terms later.
Check that a prospective roofing contractor carries liability insurance. If for no other reason, this lets you know that your roofer is professional and reliable. Secondly, should something happen to your roof as they are working on it, their insurance will pay for any problems.
Don’t get too discouraged if you’re unable to locate where a roof is leaking from. 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 have a large house, have someone inside with a cell phone keep in touch with you as you look for the leak.
Only hire a roofing contractor that is able to show proof of current insurance and licenses.
If you have an appointment with a roofer, but he or she is not coming for a couple of days, have a temporary solution in place. Nailing heavy plastic to the area can help. It isn’t a long-term solution, but it will do.
Ask any contractor to tell you are considering what industry associations the roofing company is a member of. The top contractors join industry groups to stay informed on the latest trends and current information. If they are not keeping up to date, their dedication may be questionable.
Only hire people who demonstrate professionalism at every step of the process. You need the whole process to remain professional so that their work will be too.
Walking around on your roof looking for damage is not always safe. If you think there are problems, hire a professional to do an inspection. You do not want to have the roof cave in under your feet.
If a unique roof is something that you want to get, such as one with turrets on it or maybe metal plating installed, make sure your proposed roofer has the skill and experience in this area that you need. If they have limited knowledge, choose someone else. You aren’t going to want to take chances like that when it comes to your roof.
Never agree to a contract terms that isn’t in writing. A verbal contract won’t protect you if anything happens down the work isn’t done right. Having a contract is the only way for you from disputes.
Once your list of potential contractors is narrowed down you should see if any of them provide warranties. Don’t contract with anyone who offers a warranty of less than three years. Five or more years is ideal. You’ll want a warranty that’ll cover things such as issues with the materials or workmanship. You’ll also want a copy of the manufacturer’s warranties.
Quality roof contractors carry insurance that covers accidents should one happen on your roof. If such insurance is lacking, it’s you who will be liable, you should never hire a contractor who doesn’t have insurance or does not have much insurance. Ask for this and contact that insurance company to see if they can verify it.
Take your time when hiring a contractor. Ask a ton of questions about the contractors these people have used to ascertain whether they recommend someone that is well worth money and time.
Though it seems counter-intuitive, a crew of workers can often finish a job cheaper than a single contractor. A team will usually finish the project faster, thus reducing the final overall cost. If you have a contractor doing it alone, make sure that they aren’t inflating the labor costs because of it.
Ensure your chosen roofer has completed and acquired all paperwork before starting work. Your contractor might need to get permits or bond prior to them beginning work on your roof.
Rubber-soled shoes are a must be worn when performing any type of work on your roof.It can be dangerous working on your roof. The increased traction offered by the rubber soled footwear will make falls less likely and falls. A roof can prove rather slippery. It can be hard to stay standing on a roof if you aren’t prepared.
All reputable contractors should be licensed and insured and be happy to show you proof of both. It goes without saying that you should find someone else if they cannot provide this for you. Poor workmanship can actually lead to more extensive damage in the long run.
Ask prospective roofers about the workload to make sure they have enough time to help you. Find out how many employees within the company. Companies with lots of current projects and few employees are more likely to miss deadlines.
Watch out for storm chasers! These unethical contractors are known for areas that have just been hit with a lot of damage because of a storm. Many of them are from other states and don’t have the right documentation to work on your state. If you do not recognize the area code or the signs on their truck looks fishy, that’s a red flag.
The small things should not be ignored when you hire a roofing contractor. Someone who shows up on time and calls ahead when there are issues is probably dependable. A contractor who provides you with a typed bid demonstrates professionalism on his part. Your roofer should hold both qualities.
You are a responsible homeowner if you’re taking care of your roof. You can ignore many maintenance issues, but roof issues are not included. By using the advice in this piece, you can avoid costly trouble later on.