Your roof protects you and your home from the elements at all times. That is the reason why it has to be properly maintained.Many homeowners forget about roof problems evolve into really major ones. Use the following tips to take good care of your roof the right way.
Always make safety your first priority when it comes to fixing your roof. Attempting leak repairs during rainstorms can cause serious injuries. Keep a bucket underneath any leaks until you have improved weather and then go inspect your roof.
If you have a leak when it rains, wait til it dries to fix it. You can’t walk safely on a wet and slippery roof.A dry is roof is a safe roof.
Consider the climate when replacing your roof. Clay roofs work great for dry climates and may keep the house cool. Clay roof tiles in wet climates will cause your roof to deteriorate quickly. If you aren’t sure, then don’t be afraid to ask.
When a contractor is on his way, cut the grass. This will make the process of finding nails that fall to the ground much easier for your contractor and for you. If your roofer has a magnetic nail locator, short grass will make things much easier.
Wear shoes with rubber boots when you need to get on top of your roof.
There are many questions you’ll need to ask the roofer before signing a contract. One question to ask is the amount of nails that need to be inserted into every shingle. Three nails usually insufficient. Ask them about their methods are to see if the answer they give is satisfactory. If you are not happy with their response, keep looking.
Sometimes a contractor with his own workers can be more cost effective than a contractor who has no workers. Having an entire team of roofers means the job will get done quicker, so it will cost less. Make sure that solo roofers are not overcharging you for labor.
Always research contractors you are considering for your roofing job. Don’t simply hire the cheapest or first company you locate.
Make sure whatever roofing contractor you choose has adequate liability insurance. The main thing that this will show you about a policy bodes well for a contractor’s reliability.Secondly, if a worker sustains injury on the job, their insurance company would cover the costs.
Wen replacing your roof, consider using architectural shingles. They are very attractive and last a long time. They are highly sought after by many, so that adds value to the home when considering resale.
Make sure whatever roofer that you employ has the proper licence to do the work. Do not trust the roofer to tell you the honest truth about what he says. Contact the building department and inquire about what is necessary.
If you plan on hiring a contractor, you should be sure they can provide complete credentials that are totally up to date. Nearly every state requires roofers to have certain licenses; therefore, so make sure your roofer has the necessary paperwork.
Ask any questions you have before letting a contractor work on your roof. The worst thing that could happen is if you don’t ask something and that becomes a problem you have to deal with later. If a contractor tries to avoid answering your questions, they should be avoided anyways.
Get references from any roofing company you are thinking about hiring. An honest company will be happy to provide his references to you. If the company is unable to produce this information, you should ditch them quickly. This is a tell-tale sign of trouble ahead.
Don’t get discouraged if you can’t locate where a leak is originating from. You are going to find the problem, and having a buddy will help as well.If you are dealing with a roof that’s on a large home, use cell phones to communicate so that water isn’t flowing into the house unnecessarily as you test different areas to find the leak.
Learn if your roofing contractor is able to perform annual maintenance work. You might run into problems again later even if your contractor does a good job, for instance if a brand falls on your roof. Just one inspection per year can make a huge difference.
If you’re wondering if your roof is leaking, try using a garden hose to spray it down. This will let you know if you do indeed have a leak and where the leak is located. This is more cost effective than hiring a lot cheaper and quicker than hiring a professional.
As was stated earlier in this article, your roof is vital in keeping you, your family and your home protected and safe. Whether you need to fix the problem yourself or hire a contractor, you know what it takes to get the job done. A little work done in a timely manner will pay off long into the future.
Hiring a roofing contractor is never an easy process, so make sure that you take your time. Ask people you trust for referrals. Ask lots of questions in order to determine the reputation of all prospective firms.