Roofing can be a concern for any homeowner, especially if a problem like a leak occurs. The good thing is that you can do on your own. Read on to learn what can be done about keeping a contractor.
If your roof leaks, wait until the weather passes to examine 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 roof dries, you’ll be able to fix the problem.
If your roof leaks, examine it when it’s dry and fix it. You can’t walk safely on a wet and slippery roof. A dry roof is much safer.
Rubber soled shoes are a must when you get up on the roof.
The number one priority when doing any roofing repairs is safety. Don’t try and fix your roof during a storm. Put a bucket beneath the problem area, and then inspect the roof to determine the extent of necessary repairs.
Make sure that you’re secured properly every time you need to go on your roof.
When you are selecting a roofer, ask your family, friends and co-workers first. Ask how well contractors cleaned when they finished the job and if warranties for future repairs.
Rubber boots should be worn when working on the roof. This will help you to keep your balance to stay safe. It can be physically challenging to perform roof repairs.
Make sure that your roofer 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.
If your appointment with the roofer is scheduled, but the roofing contractor you contacted can’t get there for a couple days, you may want to make a temporary leak repair. Get a piece of heavy plastic and cover the leaking area.
Mow your lawn the day before your roof is replaced. This way, you can easily locate any nails that have fallen off during the work process. Even if your contractor has a nail finder, it’ll work better with clipped grass.
Always make sure that you’re not paying for the whole project before it’s all done. You may have to pay around 25% of the amount to get the job started, but avoid paying more than that. You wouldn’t want to avoid having them to perform less than what they were supposed to.
You should avoid going up on the roof yourself and looking for damage. If you have been having any issues, try hiring a roofing contractor to stop by and look at the spots. You do not want to avoid walking up there and causing a cave in under your feet.
You don’t want to hire a roofer unless you’re sure that they’re properly licensed for the job. If you lack the knowledge to tell the difference, do not rely on the roofer’s own representations. Instead, call your local building department to find out the necessary licenses.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential contractors, ask each what sort of warranties they provide. You want a warranty that is going to last for at least 3-5 years of coverage. It must cover workmanship and defective supplies, plus they should give you copies of all manufacturer warranties as well.
The age of your roof is a good indication as to whether it needs replacing. Most roofs only have twenty years before replacement is needed. If your roof was installed on top of an old roof, you really do need to replace it.
Make sure a contractor gives you proof of insurance and a license. If they’re not able to do this, then they should not be hired no matter what. Poor workmanship can actually lead to more extensive damage in the long run.
Keep your roof clear of leaves and gutters clean. When debris builds up, water stays put. When you have water on your roof, the materials that make up your roof can rot, which requires costly repair work.
Make sure all your questions when hiring a contractor. The worst thing you can do not ask a question and then it becomes a problem develop later on. If you can’t get a roofer to reply to your questions, look in another direction.
Speak with your contractor to determine his associations within the industry. Contractors worth hiring will keep abreast of all the new technology, news and techniques, which usually means they are members of these groups that discuss these topics. If they are not a member, inquire as to why not, and rethink the possibility of hiring them.
You should be more comfortable with roofing after reading this article. Learning all you can will help you take care of your roof. Keep this advice in mind to be sure your own roofing job is done properly.