Most homeowners don’t know much about roof until it is in need of repair. Read on to learn the basics of roofing.
Don’t try to fix your roof in inclement weather. A wet roof can cause you to fall; this may result in a bad injury or worse. If you’re doing roof work yourself, do it when it’s dry and sunny.
Look over your roof at least once per year. Spring rains and winter storms are especially hard on your roof. Most damages occur during these months. Because of this you should make extra time during these seasons to check on your roof.
If you plan on hiring a roofing contractor, reach out to family and friends to find out if they have any suggestions or experience to offer. Ask about the clean-up job and if warranties for future repairs.
You never climb on your roof in search of damaged areas yourself. If you are having trouble with your roof, try hiring a roofing contractor to stop by and look at the spots. You don’t need to run the risk of the roof collapsing when you go on it.
Use rubber boots for traction when walking on your roof. Even if the weather is dry you don’t want to take any chances of slipping off the roof. Doing repair work up on the roof can be tricky and dangerous because of the awkward footing, so take safety precautions.
The age of your roof is a major factor in deciding whether it should be replaced. Most roofs only have a lifespan of twenty years before they must be replaced. If you installed a roof on top of your older roof, you are going to have to get a new one after 20 years.
Make sure your materials are inspected before using them.
Mow the lawn prior to the removal of your old roof. This will make things much easier to find if dropped. Even if your contractor has a nail finder, it’ll work better with clipped grass.
Always ask for several references before hiring a roofing company’s references. Any good company will be more than willing to give you references. If they’re reluctant to do this, it may be time to look somewhere else. This is a sign that the road.
Ask prospective roofing contractor how long they’ve been roofing. Those who have been around in your area for some time obviously know how to keep their customers happy. Anyone that is unknown could be trying to scam you for your money.
Get contractor referrals from loved ones. Find out whether he used good quality materials, did the work at a good price, and whether they were pleased overall with the job he did. Discuss how well the contractor cleaned up, and inquire as to what type of warranties were provided.
Don’t try to get too miserly when you are purchasing new materials for your home’s roof. The initial cost savings of low priced materials cannot outweigh the best option as they can end up costing you more money down the road.
Ask your contractor you are considering what associations the company is a member of. The top contractors are going to be involved in these groups so that they keep up with all the latest trends and current information. If they are not keeping up to date, question whether they are dedicated to their field.
If you’ve already tried to get someone to come out to fix your roof but they won’t be there for a while, then you should do what you can to fix the leak temporarily. Nailing heavy plastic to the area can help. While not ideal, it will provide a temporary solution for you.
You want to identify shingle damage as soon as you don’t have to deal with leaks.Give it a quick look-over every time, but make sure to be safe about it.
Make sure all your questions when hiring a contractor. The worst thing is that you can do is keep a question to yourself only to have a problem later on. If your potential contractor waffles on any questions, you should not work with them anyway.
Never pay the whole amount for roof repairs up front. Although paying approximately 25% of the cost upfront may be necessary, avoid paying more than this amount. You want to avoid having them do a low-quality job or less than what they were supposed to.
Don’t let anyone that doesn’t have a professional attitude do any work on your home. You need the whole process to be professional to ensure that you can be sure their work is too.
If you are seeking a more unique look to your roof, such as having a metal roof or putting up turrets, find a contractor who has worked on similar projects before. If they do not have experience, choose someone else. You never want to roll the dice with a roof.
Don’t use band-aid solutions. You may feel like you’re saving money, but over time, the problem is only going to get worse, and will cost a lot more to fix. It’s easier to avoid future problems by performing thorough repairs as soon as possible.
Your home’s roof, though durable, needs occasional attention to ensure it’s kept in proper working order. This will prevent future problems and ensure your home maintains its maximum value. Just remember what you have learned, and you will be able to handle just about issue that arises. Avoid letting the roof become a major problem.
