Your roof is the elements. This is reason why you to maintain it properly. Many homeowners don’t bother to take care of letting minor roof problems evolve into really major ones. Use the following tips to take good care of your roof remains in great shape for years to come.
Don’t hesitate to replace shingles. It may seem like a great idea to wait a while to fix a problem, but damage will worsen as time passes. Repairing shingles immediately will save cash for you and avoid you a headache. Your roof will last longer if it is maintained well.
Inspect your own roof yearly. Spring and winter months tend to damage is prevalent.
Leaks come from having damaged shingles, but you should also inspect the foundations of your roof. Dry rot in siding can allow water to enter your home. You need to be checking all potential entry points so that you can find the problem.
If you’re going to have to get onto the roof to do some repairs, put on rubber boots. Even if it’s dry and sunny out, you need this type of footwear to maintain a good grip. Any sort of roof repairs are going to put you in a dangerous situation.
Safety should be your number one priority when working on a roofing project.You can be seriously injured by attempting to fix a leak during a storm. Put a bucket where it’s leaking and then look at the roof to determine whether or not you can fix the issue.
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 ground. If the contractor uses a magnetized nail finder, short grass will also help this tool work more efficiently.
When you hire a contractor for your roofing project, do some research. You shouldn’t just go with the one who has the best ad or the lowest prices. Rather, investigate a few roofers in your local area. You can do this through the Internet, get feedback from others, or utilize services that help people to find trustworthy workers.
There are many questions you’ll need to ask the roofer before you hire him. One important question is the quantity of nails they will put in each shingle. Three nails usually insufficient. Ask question about their procedures and ensure you are satisfied with their answer satisfies you. If not, continue looking.
When looking for a good roofing contractor, check with family, friends and colleagues. Ask how well contractors cleaned when they finished the job that was done after work was completed and if they offer warranties are offered.
If you’ve called a roofer, but their visit isn’t for another couple days, use a type of temporary fix on the leaky roof. Try buying heavy duty plastic and layering it over the area. No, it’s not the perfect solution, but it will work for the short term.
Make sure your research when you’re hiring a roofing contractor. Don’t simply hire the cheapest or first company you can find.
If you have gotten in touch with a roofer but he cannot come out for several days, you can put a bandage on your leaking roof. You could purchase heavy grade plastic to damaged areas.
The roofing contractor you hire must have proper licensing for the work involved. If you don’t know what’s required, find out for yourself. Contact the local building department and inquire about what is necessary.
Always make sure that you’re not paying for the whole project before it’s all done. You can pay about 25% to start the job, but see if you can pay only that. You don’t want them to perform less work than expected.
Don’t attempt to create a temporary fix your roof. You may think you’re saving money, but in the long run you could end up spending a lot more due to major damage. The best thing to do is take care of any problem as quickly as possible to prevent things from getting worse.
You should always consider a roofer’s experience while going through the hiring process. Any firm with longevity does a good job. Anyone who hasn’t been around for very long could be a scam artist who runs away with your money.
You should never go crawling around your own roof to inspect for damage. If there is a problem, get a professional to visit and do an inspection. You do not want to walk on the roof cave in under your feet.
When you have a short list of contractors you want to contact, check with each with regard to their warranties. You need to find someone offering a warranty that is going to last for about three or more years. The warranty needs to cover defective supplies and sup-par workmanship, and you should have manufacturer warranty copies too.
If you want a “greener” roof, you may want to look into coated metal roofs. Coated metal roofs are recyclable and are more energy efficient than traditional roofing materials. A good metal roof can often be used to place on top of asphalt tiles, meaning you won’t be adding to a landfill somewhere.
As was mentioned earlier, your roof is a great source of protection and safety for you and your family. Use the above advice to ensure you and your family are always safe. Your efforts will be well worth it in the long run.