There are many things to learn about roofing before you begin your task. However, if you own a home, you need to inform yourself on roofing. A damaged roof can lead to numerous, costly repairs to your entire home. The following advice about roofing will prove helpful.
When making roof repairs, safety needs to be a priority. Trying to repair a leak while it’s raining or during a storm can seriously injure you, or worse! Until the rain stops, use a bucket to catch the water. Later, when the roof is dry, inspect the roof and make any repairs.
Don’t make roof repairs if it is ,icy, snowing or raining outside. A slippery or wet roof could cause you to fall; this may result in a bad injury or worse. If you are doing your roof yourself, work on it when it is sunny and dry outside.
Consider the climate in your area when replacing your roof. Clay roofs do well in dry climates, and they help keep the house cool. Clay tiles applied in damper climates can cause rapid deterioration. If you don’t know, ask.
Mow your lawn before the contractor comes to remove your roof. This will ensure he can find any dropped nails easily. If the contractor uses a magnetized nail finder, cut grass can also help.
If you are selecting a roofing contractor, they need proper liability insurance. This is a good sign of the reliability of the contractor. This will also help you if something were to go wrong with the project, because it will be paid for by the insurance.
Avoid Paying
Avoid paying the entire cost of the job in advance. Although paying approximately 25% of the cost upfront may be necessary, avoid paying more than this amount. If they’ve already been paid in full, they may be tempted to do an inferior job.
Don’t fix your roof with short-term solutions. You may think you’re saving money, but ultimately you might have more damage costing more in the end. It is in your best interest to address any problem as soon as you can. Cutting corners or delaying the work will almost always end badly.
It is not a good idea to walk around on your roof trying to find damages. If you have issues, find a pro to come look at it. You want to avoid walking up there and causing a cave in.
Insurance is a must when it comes to roofing. Without insurance, you are liable to paying for damages. Don’t just ask prospective roofing contractors if they have insurance, have them provide the insurance documents saying that it is comprehensive and current.
Speak with your roofing company and find out what warranties they provide for their work. One company may offer you a better warranty than another. Additionally, get your warranty in writing when you get your estimate, this way you have documentation in your possession. This way, no one can dispute on the terms of the agreement.
You can check a possible roof leak with a water hose. This will not only help you determine whether or not there is a leak, but also where that leak is located. You can then make the choice whether you can fix that leak or whether a professional is necessary.
Architectural Shingles
Think about using architectural shingles on your new roof. Architectural shingles look much better than regular ones and will last longer. Using architectural shingles for your roof could also increase the value of your home when you decide to sell it.
Shop around before signing on with a contractor to do any work on your roof. There are contractors out there that are just going to rip you off because they’re scamming you. Check out all options before you settle on one.
As previously mentioned, if you’re like most homeowners, you are not a roofing expert. With any luck, you now know much more about roofing and can confidently tackle any roofing task that comes your way. Your home and family can only be properly protected if your roof is in good shape.
