Roofing Tips That Can Help You Out
While the typical roof is designed to keep a home protected for ten to fifteen years, that doesn’t mean your roof will do all the work. You have to do your best to maintain your roof. This article contains helpful information for keeping your roof in tip-top condition.
While leaks sometimes can be caused by shingles that are faulty, be sure you look at your roof’s foundation too. Dry rot on the side of your home can allow water to enter your home. You need to be checking all entry points to make sure there is no problem.
Be secured as you traverse the roof. It is not hard to lose your footing and sustain serious injury – even death – when you are on your roof.
Mow your lawn prior to having a contractor work on your roof. This will make things much easier to find if dropped. If he has a magnetic tool for finding nails, it will work best with the short grass.
When you are selecting a roofer, consult your family, friends and colleagues. Ask others if they’re pleased with their work, with the overall quality of the chosen materials, and if the costs were fair. Also speak with them about how well the cleanup went as well as if they got a warranty on future work.
When hiring a contractor, research properly. Hiring a bargain contractor is often a good way to lose money that could have been used to make quality repairs. You should be doing solid research and reading reviews about contractors in your area. You can check them out online, ask people that have previously used them, or find a service that will help find workers you can trust.
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. Buy some heavy plastic and use nails to keep it attached to the area. It is not a lasting fix for the leaks, but it’ll provide your home with some protection until the proper repairs can be made.
Don’t walk around your roof alone. If you are having trouble with your roof, it is safest to hire someone that can look at it for you. If you walk around on your roof, you could damage it further or injure yourself.
Once your list of potential contractors is narrowed down you should see if any of them provide warranties. You need a warranty of at least three years, preferably five. The warranty should deal with poor work and defective materials, and you should have manufacturer warranty copies too.
The age of your roof determines whether it needs to be replaced or not. With most roofing materials, a 20-year lifespan is standard. If you installed your roof above an old one, you definitely need to have it replaced after twenty years.
Check roofing materials before putting new shingles up. Too short or too long nails or weak shingles can lead to leaks. Only use the right tools for the job.
Only hire someone to work on your roof if they have insurance and the proper kind of licenses. If they aren’t able to, don’t think about hiring them. This is because you won’t have any recourse if their workmanship isn’t up to par and it ends up causing your home to have thousands of dollars in damages.
If you’re checking out a professional roofer, consult the BBB – Better Business Bureau. This lets you determine if prior customers have filed complaints. The Chamber of Commerce is another useful resource.
Don’t agree to anything that is not written down. Verbal contracts lead to hard-to-solve disputes. A written contract can help should any problems or disagreements arise.
Given the number of variables you have to consider, you should weigh your choice of roofing contractor very carefully. Where should you begin? Try coworkers, neighbors, friends, and family. Make sure you are asking many questions so you can make the best decision.
Before you choose a roofing company, make sure you know something about roofing. Read up on types of roofs and rules before speaking with a contractor. You will have a better chance of spotting a scam artist this way.
You shouldn’t assume your roof needs to be replaced without looking into it. Make some phone calls and have a professional give your roof a look prior to purchasing a new one. Often times, people get new roofing when simple repairs could have been done instead.
Always keep safety in mind. Roofing is generally dangerous. Don’t hurry things. If your weather is bad, it’s not smart to walk out on your roof. Just wait. No roofing repair job is worth a potential accident or something much worse. Take proper precautions and research any project before undertaking it.
When interviewing prospective roofers, ask about their workload. Ask about the anticipated number of needed workers, and the time frame involved. How many people are available to work? A company with multiple current projects and a small number of employees may run into problems meeting its deadlines.
When picking roofing materials, you must take your climate into consideration. Wood shingles are not a good option in dry areas. There are also plenty of synthetic options, but they are not suitable for the hotter climates. A metal roof doesn’t do well in the cold. Consult with a professional to help you with your decision.
If you want to navigate round your roof safely, bring up a ladder and secure it in place by nailing down a couple two by fours. Having the ladder up on the roof can give your feet purchase, and can make it easier to get around without slipping.
Properly Maintained
If your roof is properly maintained, your house will stay properly maintained as well. Consider maintaining your roof as an investment that will make your home more valuable. Use the advice you’ve learned here, and you will have a sturdy and protective roof over your head for many years.