How To Keep Your Roof In Great Shape

While it is true most roofs will last up to 15 years, you shouldn’t count on it lasting that long without help. You must make sure you keep your roof properly maintained. Keep reading for more information about roofs.

If you find a leak during a storm, wait until everything is dry before heading up to your roof. It is impossible to quickly fix a leak problem, and you are putting yourself in danger. When your roof has dried, you can safely fix any leak you find.

TIP! Don’t check out and fix a leak until the rain stops. A wet roof can become corrupted if you work on it too fast, and it’s quite easy to slip.

When you are looking into hiring a roofing contractor, consult your family, friends and co-workers first. Ask about the clean-up job that was done after work was completed and if they offer warranties for future repairs.

Make sure to do your homework is done when you’re hiring a contractor. Don’t just accept the cheapest or first company you locate.

Leaks may come from roof foundation damage. Water can leak into your home through dry-rotted siding. Look at every entry point, even rotten wood, to see if the problem can be solved for good.

TIP! Some leaks are caused by shingles, but you should check your roof’s foundation. Dry rot on the side of your home can allow water to enter your home.

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.If something does happen, the insurance will pay for the issues.

Don’t fix your roof. It may be cheaper for now, but after a while it could cause more damage than it saves and that costs a lot of money. The best thing to do is to completely fix the problem as quickly as you can so that nothing bad happens later on.

Don’t go up on your roof in inclement weather. When you have a roof that is wet then it could cause you to fall and get hurt pretty badly. Especially if you are all alone on a project, only do work on dry, sunny days.

TIP! Don’t try to fix any roof when the weather conditions are poor. If your roof is slippery and wet, you may fall, causing bad injuries or perhaps death.

Make sure the roofing contractor you hire has experience.You might consider asking family and friends for good people. This is important because you don’t want to avoid poor roofing job done which would result in costly repairs in the future.

Make sure a roofing contractor has current, and make sure thy are current.Nearly every state requires roofers to have certain licenses; therefore, so carefully look at their licensing is valid and current.

When a leak is getting fixed, you have to be sure that the job is done correctly the first time. That means you don’t stop with the first spot you find which has a problem. Be sure and inspect your entire roof to ensure that you don’t have a more widespread problem or additional leaks in other areas.

TIP! When fixing a leak, you must finish the job right to begin with. This means you’re not going to want to only stop on the first place you locate that has problems.

The age of the roof often determines if it’s time to have it replaced. Most roofs only last about every 20 years. If the roof you have now covered the old roof, you’re going to have to have it replaced once it’s twenty years old.

A living roof has a soil to grow plants and flowers.

If you need a roofing contractor, reach out to family and friends to find out if they have any suggestions or experience to offer. This will help you find someone who does good quality work at a reasonable price. Discuss how well the contractor cleaned up, and inquire as to what type of warranties were provided.

TIP! Speak with people that you know to find the best contractors. Ask around to see if anyone you know recently hired a roofing contractor who did a good job.

Always check a potential roofing contractor. Any reputable company will oblige you by providing references. If you find that the company doesn’t want to give you any, it’s probably best to just move on. This usually indicates a sure sign of issues down the company.

Only employ roofing contractors that can prove he has valid insurance and an active license.

When a salesman tries to pressure you, send him on his way. Such shysters can be very aggressive, so do what is necessary to shut them down.

TIP! If you feel pressured by a salesman, do not agree to anything and show him to the door. People who use high-pressure tactics almost always do not deliver what they promise.

Don’t cut corners when you buy roofing materials. 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.

Architectural shingles are another great addition to your roof. They’re more attractive and last longer.

When looking to hire a roofing contractor, make sure he or she is skilled in the trade. If you know anyone who has recently had their roof fixed, find out if they would recommend that contractor. This is important because you don’t want to have a poor roofing job done which would result in costly repairs in the future.

TIP! Only hire an experienced contractor. Ask your neighbors, friends and family about their experiences with roofers.

Ask contractors about their memberships in industry associations. The good contractors join industry groups to stay informed on the latest trends and current information. If they are not keeping up to date, question their level of dedication to the field.

Always inspect the condition of roofing materials before they go on your roof for possible defects. Be certain your materials are intact at all stages of roofing work.

Any roofer you are considering using must have the proper license to do business. If you have no idea what your local requirements are, don’t take the contractor’s word for it. Look up the building department in your area and give them a call to see what is needed.

TIP! Does your roofer have a license? If you don’t know what’s required of the area, don’t just trust the roofer’s word. Instead, call your local building department to find out the necessary licenses.

It can be very dangerous climbing on top of your roof. Roofs aren’t strategically designed for people to be walking over them. Wear shoes with a rubber soles to prevent slippage. A harness is also be used if you can.

Have your contractor outline the whole project in full.He should discuss things like the type of products that must be used, such as the materials that will be used, the costs, etc. Be sure to fully understand everything that is discussed. If you think that the contractor you’re working with is not giving you enough information, or he is very vague, it’s not a good idea to work with that person.

Factor in how long a roofer has been practicing his trade when choosing who to hire. Businesses with a longer history tend to be more reputable and understand how to satisfy their customers. If they haven’t been in business long, there may be a reason for that.

TIP! Check to see how long contractors are in business for and how many employees work for them. Those who’ve been around for years must have satisfied customers.

Remember, any roof that is in good shape normally means a home that’s in good shape too. It can be said that your roof is a very important asset to your home. Follow these tips when you need advice on maintaining your home’s roof.