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 as best as you can. The following article will give you keep your roof in good shape.
Examine your roof on a yearly basis. A roof will suffer the most damage during winter and springtime. Keep an eye out during these times.
Don’t hesitate when it comes to replacing worn or broken shingles. Replacing or repairing shingles immediately can save money and energy in the future. Taking care of your roof will help it remain durable over time.
There are many questions you’ll need to ask the roofer before signing a contract. One question is the quantity of nails they will put in each shingle.Three nails are usually doesn’t cut it. Ask them about what their methods are happy with the answers you receive. If the answers aren’t adequate, choose someone else.
When faced with snow, ice, or rain, it is best to postpone your roofing project. Slippery roofs can mean major falls. You can really injure yourself, or worse, you could die. The best time for do-it-yourself roof work is on warm, sunny days.
Make sure you do your homework is done when you’re hiring a contractor. Don’t hire the cheapest contractor you locate.
If you have a leaking roof, but is not to occur for a few more days, you might want to try a temporary fix. Get yourself a piece of heavy plastic and you can nail it up.
Be sure that you’re hiring a roofer that has the proper licensing before they do any work. If you don’t what what your location requires, don’t simply believe what the roofer tells you. Look up the building department in your area and give them a call to see what is needed.
After narrowing down your list of roofers, make inquiries about warranties. You want to be offered 3-5 year warranty. It should cover both defective supplies as well as poor workmanship, and they should also give you photocopies of manufacturer warranties too.
Insurance is vital for this line of work. If the roofer has no insurance and the property gets damaged, the cost will be on you. Don’t just speak with the person doing the job to see if they have the insurance, comprehensive coverage.
Ask roofing contractors about the type of warranty they have. One company may offer you a better warranty than another. Also, be sure the estimate is written out and includes documentation of the warranty. This way, you won’t have any term disagreements when the job is finished.
A good team can achieve good results more quickly.
The age of your roof is a good indication as to whether you should be replaced. Many roofs only last around 20 years before they need replaced. If your current roof was placed over an old one, you really have no choice once twenty years has passed but to replace it.
Hire only roofing professionals able to show proof of insurance and necessary licenses. If they cannot, then you should not even consider hiring them. You have no options of recourse if their work is not up to standard.
If you think there may be a place on your roof that’s leaking, bring a hose with you and spray the roof down.This will let you determine if you do indeed have a leak and also where the leak is. This can be a lot cheaper alternative to having to hire a contractor.
Keep your roof and other debris to make it last. If debris builds up, they’ll keep water from leaving your roof. When water sits on the roof, the materials that make up your roof can rot, making you susceptible to leaks.
Always ask any questions that you have before you allow work to begin on your roof. You’re going to regret not asking questions if problems arise later. If your contractor isn’t willing to answer questions, then you probably should find another contractor.
Architectural shingles can be a great alternative roofing material. They’re more attractive and last a long time.
Climbing up onto a roof is dangerous. Roofs aren’t strategically designed for people to be walking over them. Wear shoes with rubber sole to prevent slipping. A harness should also strongly encouraged.
Learn how old your roof is and use it to figure out if you can get by with a repair or if you need a full roof replacement. The age of your roof is usually what determines the level of work that needs to be done. Many roofs last from 15-20 years, so if the roof is this old, you need to upgrade it.
Don’t agree to anything that is not written one. Verbal contracts can lead to hard-to-solve disputes. Having a contract will protect you from disputes.
OSHA has requirements that roofing contractors have safety plan in place during a project. This will ensure the project is done properly.
When you’re speaking with people that may be working on your roof for you, you need to see what kind of workload they’re currently working with. In addition, be sure to ask them the number of workers and amount of time that will be necessary to repair your roof. Find out the number of employees within the company. A company that has quite a few projects going on, but not a lot of employees, can have a hard time meeting deadlines.
When researching roofing companies, ask prospective companies if they employ sub-contractors. If the people working at your house are not the company’s own employees, it could cause liability concerns. Make sure to check this in advance before entering into a repair contract.
Don’t assume that you need a new roof is necessary. Call a pro and let them inspect it before making that decision.
Always be wary of the weather whenever you are planning to work on the roof. While it’s obvious that you want to avoid rainy conditions, you also need to mindful of wind strength. A strong gust has the ability to cause you to lose your balance, which can make you fall.
Ensure your roofer has completed and acquired all paperwork before they begin the job. Your contractor might need permits or bond prior to them beginning work on your roof.
A well-maintained roof will protect your whole home. It can be said that your roof is a very important asset to your home. Keep the advice you read in mind, and be sure to apply it when the time comes.
Phone based quotes should not be a determining factor as the expenses after the fact will be much different. When speaking to you on the phone, a company just wants to secure your business. They can’t accurately tell you a price, no matter what they say, so keep this in mind.