Roofing is a topic that homeowners must pay attention to. However, few homeowners know enough about roofing to fix their roof themselves or to find a reliable contractor. If you take advantage of the tips below, you’ll be able to keep your roof in good shape for a long time.
Examine your roof on a yearly basis. Spring and winter are the two seasons when roofs are most damaged. Be extra watchful during these seasons.
While leaks sometimes do come from problems with your shingles, you should also check the foundation of the roof. If there’s dry rot, water may be able to enter a home. Look at every entry point, even rotten wood, to see if the problem can be solved for good.
The materials and tools you take on your roof need to be secured. Losing your balance is a serious danger, regardless of the steepness of your roof. A loss of balance can cause major injury and may be fatal in some circumstances.
If you have a contractor coming to remove your old roof, be sure to cut the grass beforehand. This will make the process of finding nails that fall to the ground much easier for your contractor and for you. Even better, a magnetized nail finder will work at its optimum in short grass.
Speak with people that you know to find the best contractors. Ask those you trust if the work they had done was good quality and whether they think the price was reasonable. Ask about the clean-up job that was done after work was completed and if warranties are offered.
Does your roofer have liability insurance? The main thing that this will show you about a roofer is the fact that they are a reliable person. Also, if damage occurs to the roof while they work, their insurance pays the cost.
Don’t use remedies that only work for short periods of time when dealing with roof repairs. It may be cheaper for now, but it will get more expensive in the future. It is always best to fully repair the problem as quickly as possible so that you do not have much bigger problems down the road.
Make sure the roofing contractor you hire is trained and skilled. You might consider asking family and friends for personal recommendations. It is important mainly because you won’t want to have your repairs be done poorly, as they will only cost you more in the future.
When you have a short list of contractors you want to contact, find out what kind of warranties are available. Most roofers offer a warranty on their work for up to five years. The longer the warranty you can get, the better. You’ll want a warranty that’ll cover things such as issues with the materials or workmanship. You’ll also want a copy of the manufacturer’s warranties.
Check to see that your roofer has all of the necessary documentation. If you don’t what what your location requires, don’t simply believe what the roofer tells you. Call your area’s building department to find out what is needed.
The age of your roof is a good indication of whether it needs replacing or not. Many roofs last around twenty years prior to needing replacement. Even if you have a new roof on top of your old one, you’re going to have to replace it once the older one is about 20 years old.
When deciding on a contractor to work on your roof, inquire as to how long that company has been in business. Those with long histories have learned how to please customers. If they haven’t been in business long, there may be a reason for that.
Get all of your questions out of the way before the contractor starts working on your roof. You do not want to leave a question unasked and have the issue get out of hand down the road. If any contractor can not or will not answer any questions you have, you probably do not want to work with them.
The roof boots of a home are often neglected. They are found along the roof fence and can become dried out. If they do, they can cause the roof to leak. Inspect and replace them as needed.
It’s dangerous to climb on a roof. Roofs aren’t built for people to be walking over them. Shoes with rubber soles need to be worn so that you don’t slip. Also, it would be a good idea to use a harness. Additionally, always have another person there to assist you.
Talk to any homeowner, and they’ll probably tell you how important it is to keep your roof in good shape. Having said that, knowledge on how to achieve a great roof can be difficult. This article has shown you the steps you need to take, so take them!
