Addressing issues with a roof is no party. That said, it has to be dealt with before it spirals out of control. Devoting even a few hours here and there to the maintenance of your roof can spare you time and money further down the road. Look at these tips for properly caring for your roof.
Some leaks are caused by shingles, but you should check your roof’s foundation. If the sides of your home have dry rot, water can enter your home there. Check all entry points to make sure this doesn’t happen.
As far as roofing goes, you need to think about the climate. If you are in a dry climate and want to keep your house cool, then a clay roof would be ideal. They deteriorate in rainy climates, though. If you have doubts, just ask.
Mow the lawn prior to the removal of your old roof. This will make things much easier to find if dropped. Short grass, combined with magnetic nail finders, makes locating nails even simpler.
Be sure to ask many questions of your roofer before hiring him. For example, see how many nails they’re going to be putting into the shingles. Most of the time, more than three nails is going to be required for a good job. Ask question about their procedures and make sure their answer satisfies you. If the answers are poor, move on asap.
When you’re trying to hire a roofing contractor, you need to make sure they are in possession of liability insurance. Insurance is a sign of a reliable contractor. If anything happens while they work on your roof, the insurance will take care of it.
The best roofing contractors are those who are always on top of their licenses, credentials, and documentation. Make sure your contractor has a roofing license. Also, be sure they are currently holding good liability insurance and a worker’s compensation certificate.
What warranty does your roofer offer? You’ll find that some contractors offer much better warranties than others. In addition, always get a warranty in writing, along with the estimate, so that you have the information in your possession. That way, there cannot be any disagreement about the terms later on.
Ask for some references from prospective roofing companies. A reliable contractor should be able to give you several good references. If a company tries to skate by this request, look elsewhere. This usually indicates a problem with the company.
If you’re wondering if your roof is leaking, try spraying it with a garden hose. This will show if you have a leak and the area where the leak emanates from. This costs much less than hiring contractors.
Inspect your roof after any high winds or major storms. It doesn’t take many dislodged shingles to cause serious water intrusion problems, and the sooner you detect and repair roof damage, the better. Give it a brief look, but make sure to be safe about it.
If you are having work done on your roof, inspect all of the materials beforehand. Cracked shingles are easy to find in advance, but can cause big problems in the future if overlooked. Make sure all your materials are perfect before you start any work.
Don’t hire someone unless you have a contract in writing. People often agree to contracts verbally and then face problems if the work done on their roof isn’t up to par. A written contract can help should any problems or disagreements arise.
OSHA mandates that roofers establish safety procedures on projects. These plans are crucial for making sure that a project is completed as it should be. Find out about your contractor’s safety plan. Otherwise, you need to look elsewhere.
Never forget about safety. Roofing accidents are very common. Don’t hurry things. If the local weather is unfavorable, put it off until a better day. Home repair isn’t worth getting injured or killed over. Be cautious and careful.
Ask any roofing contractors you are interviewing how many projects they are currently working on. Find out how long your project will take and how many laborers are required to do the job. After that, find out how many workers the company has at their disposal. If a company has a limited number of employees but multiple jobs being done, then this could lead to problems with meeting their deadlines.
If you live in a cold area, be sure you don’t let ice build up on your roof. Ice can cause several problems on a roof. Drip shields, ice shields and more can help protect your roof. Good ventilation will also go a long way.
Only hire licensed, registered contractors if you expect quality workmanship. Should a problem arise, it will be much harder to receive compensation from an unlicensed contractor. What occurs if you have paid someone who is not licensed more than $1,000? In most places, you’re going to be breaking the law if you do this!
Anyone working on a roof should take a ladder, and nail some wood down in order to make sure the ladder stays secure. You can navigate around your the roof easier if you have a ladder. It will also reduce your chances of slipping.
Never neglect your roof. This can cause serious future issues. Rather, remember the information that you read in this article and put it to good use in the future. This can save future headaches.
