Homeowners don’t often realize how little they know about taking care of a roof until it becomes a problem. Luckily, you have found this article because by learning a few things about roofing, you’ll be able to be sure things are kept in working order. Go over this article for some helpful roofing tips.
Inspect your roof at least once yearly. Spring and winter months tend to damage the roof the most. Be extra watchful during these seasons.
Never try to repair a leaky roof while it is still raining. There is not one quick way to patch your leak, and you could get hurt if you try to work on a wet, slippery roof. Therefore, don’t climb on your roof until it quits raining and it is completely dry.
If you’re working on a leak, do it right the first time. This often means searching for other leaks after the initial spot has been fixed. Look at the complete roof, and you may see that the leak is a result of numerous problems.
Make sure you do your homework before you decide on what contractor you will hire to do roof work. Avoid using the first roofer you find, or the one that costs least. Rather, do a bit of research on all the contractors in your area. You can use online resources or ask trusted friends or family members.
If you are selecting a roofing contractor, they need proper liability insurance. For starters, if a roofer has this type of insurance, you can be pretty sure that they are reliable. Secondly, should something happen to your roof as they are working on it, their insurance will pay for any problems.
If you have a leaking roof, but the roofing contractor you contacted can’t get there for a couple days, you might want to try a temporary fix. Get some heavy plastic material and nail it up. It is not a lasting fix for the leaks, but it’ll provide your home with some protection until the proper repairs can be made.
Never pay the full price up front. Offer a quarter of the total cost before they start work; avoid paying more. It could be a sign that their work will be sub-par or that they are trying to scam you.
Check to ensure that any roofer you consider hiring has all of the proper licenses required for the job. Do not simply believe that he is legitimate based off what he says. Check your local building department and call them to find out what is necessary.
Insurance is something you need to have when it comes to roof work. If you work with an uninsured contractor and something is damaged, you’ll be the one responsible for the cost. Asking about insurance is not enough since people can be dishonest. You should ask for current proof of insurance.
If you select a roofer who uses employees, you may get a better deal than if the roofer works alone. A team can work quicker and the price may be more affordable, too. Just make sure that if you’re hiring just one person you don’t get charged too much in labor costs.
Living Roof
A living roof is a great option for those trying to live a “greener” life. A living roof provides you with space to plant. Living roofs will only work in some climates and on some flat roofs.
If the source of your leaky roof is evading you, don’t worry. Sooner or later you will find it using a process of elimination. Having a friend help you along with a water hose can aid this process. If your house is large, utilize cell phones for communication to avoid having water leaking into the house any more than necessary when you test various areas to locate the leak.
Don’t buy cheap roofing materials. The initial savings will not only go away, but will likely end up costing more than if you would have used high-quality materials in the first place. Cheap materials don’t last as long and you will pay additional labor costs to replace them again.
It is important to consider many things if you are hiring a roofer. Those who show up on schedule and call you as promised are probably fairly reliable. Also, professional contractors usually provide you with a typed bid for the job. Your roofing contractor should have both qualities.
In terms of roof maintenance, roof boots are often overlooked. These are rubber boots that are where your roof fence raises up. They may dry out. If they do, they can cause the roof to leak. Inspect and replace them as needed.
It can be very dangerous to climb up on a roof. Roofs aren’t strategically designed for human traffic. To help avoid slipping, wear shoes with rubber soles. Also, if you can, wear a harness. Lastly, be sure someone is always there to help you.
There’s nothing simple about finding the ideal roofing contractor. Still, it has to be done. Talk to people who have had success with contractors to get an honest opinion. Ask the contractors you are considering lots of questions to ensure you are comfortable with them.
Your roof needs regular maintenance, just like any other piece of your home. Keep what you’ve read in focus, and there should not be any problems you can’t quickly address. You definitely don’t want your roof to be a problem.
