If you have a home and are like most people, chances are you don’t think about roofing too much. But, given the importance of the roof to any home, you need to be sure your roof is in good shape. This post will educate you lots of tips to help you take care of that roof. Keep reading to learn what you need to know.
If you notice that your roof is leaking, wait until the area is dry to start fixing it. Not only will you not be able to repair a leak quickly at first, you won’t be safe if the roof is wet. Once the sun is shining again, you can look at the roof with a fresh set of eyes.
While leaks sometimes do come from problems with your shingles, it is also a good idea to check with your roof’s foundation as well. Water can get into many areas that dry rot has occurred. You should examine all entry points so that you can find the problem.
Don’t go up on your roof during wet weather.A wet roof could cause you to fall and seriously injure yourself. If you’re making roof repairs, make sure to do the work when the weather is dry.
Avoid fixing your roof when things are icy, snowing or raining. When you have a roof that is wet then it could cause you to fall and get hurt pretty badly. If you’re doing roof work yourself, make sure to do it during dry and sunny days.
Mow your lawn prior to having a contractor work on your roof is replaced. This helps make it easier to find nails that fall from the roof. If your contractor brings a magnetic nail finder, it will work best with the short grass.
When you are selecting a roofer, check with family, friends and co-workers first. Ask how well contractors cleaned when they finished the clean-up job and if warranties for future repairs.
In terms of repairing leaks, you need to have the job done right on the first crack. Do not stop after fixing one small area. Check the whole roof and you might find more problems.
Make sure any roofer you choose has adequate liability insurance.The mere existence of such a roofer is the fact that they are a reliable person. This will also assure that should something happen during the roofing process, because it will be paid for by the insurance.
Make sure the roofing contractor you hire has experience.You might try to get referrals from family and friends for you. This is important because you a lot of money.
Make a list of questions to ask before hiring a roofer. For instance, how many nails will they use on each shingle? Three nails is rarely sufficient. Ask them about the methods they use, and see if they give a good answer. If the answers aren’t adequate, keep looking.
Make sure whatever roofer that you employ has the licensing necessary to do the work. Do not trust the roofer to tell you the honest truth about what he says. Contact the building department where you live and inquire about what is necessary.
A roofing team working in unison can accomplish a job quicker and this usually ends up with a much cheaper final product.
Insurance is a must when it comes to roofing. A contractor without insurance can be very dangerous. That’s because if he causes further damage to your roof or gets injured on the job, you will be liable for the expenses. Simply receiving verbal confirmation of insurance is not enough; make sure you see a copy of the document to ensure it is up to date and comprehensive.
The age of your roof is a good indication as to whether you should replace it or not. Most roofs have a lifespan of twenty years or so before they must be replaced. If your roof was installed on top of an old roof, after twenty years you don’t have any other option besides replacing it.
A living roof is one that has soil layers where you can grow plants and flowers.
Don’t get frustrated if you’re unable to locate where a leak is originating from. You’ll find it if you employ a process of elimination along with a buddy system and a water hose. If you have a large house, try using cell phones to talk so that the water doesn’t go into the house by mistake as you test possible leak areas.
Only award your roofing contractors that can give you proof of insurance and an active license.
Roofing Contractor
Ask your contractor to tell you what industry associations he takes part in. Good contractors keep current with the latest trends and technology in their industry. If they’re not, question whether they are dedicated to their field.
You don’t want to forget the small things when you’re hiring a roofing contractor. Someone who shows up on time and calls ahead when they say they will is probably fairly dependable. You want to see both happen with your roofing contractor.
Find out if your contractor is a part of an industry associations. The top contractors are going to be involved in these groups so that they keep up with all the latest trends and improvements to standard techniques. If they don’t happen to be members, question whether they are dedicated to their field.
When you decide to hire a roofing contractor, ask if they will be able to check and maintain your roof once a year. No matter how good your roofer is, there are going to be problems down the line, especially if the area you live in has an extreme climate. An annual inspection will keep your roof properly maintained.
You want to identify shingle damage as soon as you don’t have to deal with leaks.Look over your roof, but do so safely.
As previously mentioned, many homeowners don’t know or get concerned over roofing. However, it’s crucial to become educated about it in case something happens, so that you can avoid serious issues. Keep in mind that maintaining your roof allows you to avoid more serious damages to the rest of your home.
All roofers must have in place a safety plan that fulfills OSHA requirements. This plan is important in assuring you that your roofing project will be done correctly. Always ask whether a prospective contractor currently follows such a plan. Otherwise, you need to look elsewhere.