This article provides all the tips you need when it comes to roof maintenance and repairs.
Look at your roof closely once a year. Roofs are commonly most damaged during winter months as well as spring time. For this reason, these are the times to pay close attention to your own roof.
If a leak pops up during a storm, you shouldn’t attempt to climb up onto your roof and fix the problem until it has quit raining. You can’t walk safely on a wet and slippery roof. A dry roof is much safer.
While leaks sometimes do come from problems with your shingles, be sure you look at your roof’s foundation too. Dry rot on the side of your home can lead to leaks. You should examine all entry points to make sure there is no problem.
Leaks often come from shingles, but don’t discount a foundation problem as well. If there’s dry rot, water may be able to enter a home. Check all entry points to make sure this doesn’t happen.
When fixing leaks, make sure the whole problem is fixed. This often means searching for other leaks after the first place you locate that has been fixed. Inspect your roof to be sure that need to be fixed too.
Make sure you’re secured whenever you climb onto your roof.
Make certain you are secured the right way when you venture on the roof. It’s critical, and you can lose balance when you haven’t climbed onto a roof often; thousands are hurt or lose their life from falling each year.
It is important that you check out your potential contractor’s history before you hire. Once you have their references, check them out and ask about value and quality of the work. You should also go and check some of the addresses if you have the time. Drive by and look at the work before deciding who to hire.
If you’ve called a roofer, but he is not scheduled to visit for a few days, have a temporary solution in place. Get yourself a piece of heavy duty plastic and cover the leaking area.
After narrowing down your list of roofers, determine which one offers the best warranty. You want to be offered 3-5 years of coverage. It should cover both defective supplies as well as poor workmanship, plus they should give you copies of all manufacturer warranties as well.
When you have come up with a short list of possible contractors, be sure to ask about warranties. You want a warranty that lasts for about three or more years. The warranty should deal with poor work and defective materials, and they should also supply you with copies of the manufacturer warranties too.
Make sure your materials are inspected before using them.
Are you environmentally conscious and seeking a new roof? If so, consider a living roof. This type of roof is made up of layers of soil and can be used as a garden. While they are only ideal for flat roofs in the right climate, they are also a great source of insulation.
Only consider hiring roofers who are able to show proof of current insurance and insurance.
No matter the contractor’s skill level, problems can come up, especially if your area is prone to bad weather or extreme temperatures. A visit can help you to keep your roof in the best shape possible.
You need to think about how long a contractor has been doing business. Those who’ve been around for years must have satisfied customers. Anyone new to the area may be a scammer ready to steal your money.
A reputable roofer will always carry insurance that covers potential damage and accidents that might occur. If such insurance is lacking, you are responsible for any damages that occur, so don’t hire any company that can’t prove that there is insurance that covers the workers. Ask for this information and contact that insurance company to see if they can verify it by calling their insurer.
OSHA requirements that say every roofing contractor needs to have a safety plans for the project they’re working on. These plans are crucial for making sure that a project is completed properly.
Only hire professionals to work on your roof. For instance, a prospective contractor should give you a written estimate that contains lots of detail. You need to have confidence in the professionalism displayed by the contractor.
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 that you fully understand the plans are going to be. If you feel that a contractor does not provide you with adequate information, or he’s making you uneasy, and you should consider hiring a different contractor.
Don’t just think that your roof is necessary. Call a roofer and have them look at it before you spend anything.
Contracts that aren’t in writing should not be agreed to. Verbal contracts lead to hard-to-solve disputes. A written contract is necessary in order to prove that the contractor has not performed his duties.
Know the differences between all the materials used in roofing. Each one has it’s own particular advantages and cons. However, metal is a bit more difficult to install, and installation can be complicated. Asphalt is fairly inexpensive and easy to install, but have a shorter life span. You may also look into the pros and tile.
Watch out for those storm chasers.These flighty contractors look for work in neighborhoods that have been recently hit by storms. Many of them are not from the area and have no documentation for your state. You can easily spot these contractors by their different area codes, most notably through their area code (which won’t be local) and their references.
If you know how old your roof is, you can make a better decision about whether to replace or repair it. Your roof’s age is the primary factor in determining whether or not it needs to be replaced. If you’ve gone 15 or 20 years without replacing your roofing, it’s time to start considering it.
The importance of roof maintenance cannot be stressed enough. Use the tips and techniques discussed above, and your family will be the better off for it. They’ll be more protected and secure. It’s going to take some effort, but that will protect you from future disasters.