Everyone knows that it’s important to properly maintain a roof if they want their home to be safe. Most homeowners do not know enough about roofing to fix their roof or hire a reliable contractor. In the following paragraphs, you’ll find some info that will broaden your understanding of roofing.
If you notice a leak during a rain storm, hold off on your inspection until things dry out. It’s too dangerous to work on a wet and slippery roof. When it’s dry, you can fix it safely.
Taking Care
Don’t hesitate when it comes to replacing shingles. Waiting can just allow the damage to worsen. Taking care of shingles right away can save you a lot of money and stress. By taking care of your roof properly, it will take care of you.
Safety should be a strong consideration with taking on a roofing project. You can be seriously injured by attempting to fix your roof under severe weather conditions. Use a bucket to catch the water until you can fix the problem.
Never work on your roof if the weather outside is rainy, snowy or icy. Rain or ice could leave you slipping off the roof. Wait for a clean, crisp day to repair your roof.
If you find a leak, make sure that you get it fixed properly the first time. If you detect the problematic area, don’t stop there. Inspect your roof carefully and look for other areas that need to be fixed too.
Make sure to do your research when looking for a roofing contractor. Never hire the first one listed in the yellow pages or the one with the lowest rates. Rather, do a bit of research on all the contractors in your area. Ask friends for referrals, look online, or enlist the help of a service to help you find a good contractor.
Make sure whatever roofing contractor you hire has adequate liability insurance. If he has this insurance, there is a good chance he is reliable. If something does happen, their insurance will cover the bills.
Be certain your roofing contractor is properly licensed. If you do not know what licenses are required, don’t simply take your roofer’s word. Check your local building department and call them to find out what is necessary.
Living Roof
Are you environmentally conscious and seeking a new roof? If so, consider a living roof. You can use a living roof for growing flowers and many other types of plants. While a living roof can only be used in some climates, it also adds insulation.
Get references from any roofer you are thinking about hiring. An honest roofer will be eager to provide his references to you. If you get a contractor who balks on giving reference, run, don’t walk, in another direction. This should raise red flags.
If you’re wondering if your roof is leaking, try spraying it with a garden hose. This will not only help you determine whether or not there is a leak, but also where that leak is located. It’ll also save you the cost of hiring someone to come look at it.
You need to keep debris off of your roof in order to keep it in good shape. When debris builds up, water pools. This can lead to shingle rot and leaks, both which can cost you lots of money.
Before a contractor starts working on your roof, don’t hesitate to ask any question you may have. Neglecting to ask certain questions can lead to future trouble. If any contractor can not or will not answer any questions you have, you probably do not want to work with them.
A quick check with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) is always a good idea before you commit to working with a particular roofing contractor. Doing so, you’ll be able to see any previous complaints against the contractors you’re considering. Seek out input from the Chamber of Commerce in your area as well.
Ask around to your friends, family, and neighbors when finding a roofing contractor. Recommendations from those you trust are a great way to find someone who is trustworthy. If you have dealt with other kinds of contractors, they might be able to recommend someone too. They will at least be able to get you going the right way.
Always request a detailed plan of action from your roofing contractor. Speak about the products and techniques that he will be using. Ask plenty of questions so you fully understand the plan. If you think that the contractor you’re working with is not giving you enough information, or he’s making you uneasy, it’s not a good idea to work with that person.
When you need to hire a company to do your roofing, see if they have workers that are sub contractors. If the workers do not work for the company directly, it can create a liability issue. Check everything out thoroughly before signing contracts.
It is important to know your roof’s age in order to determine what type of repair is necessary. Figuring out when you should hire a contractor is something that depends on how old your roof is. The average life expectancy for a roof is 15 to 20 years.
It’s impossible to not think that a roof is a big part of what keeps your home safe as well as your family. However, some homeowners don’t realize this until they incur a huge problem. With any luck, this article has given you some much needed knowledge that you can use to keep you roof in great shape.
