In a perfect world, one doesn’t need to spend time thinking about a home’s roof. Unfortunately, the world is not perfect and inevitably the time will come when the roof becomes a serious issue. The majority of homeowners don’t know much about roofing, and the prospect of getting your roof repaired can be daunting. Keep reading to find out more about maintaining and caring for your roof.
Inspect your roof yearly. Roofs are commonly most damaged during winter months as well as spring time. Due to this, it is best to keep a close eye on your roof during this time especially.
Don’t procrastinate replacing worn or broken shingles. While you may believe it is okay to put off a roof repair, you will only further the damage by prolonging it. Repairing shingles immediately will save cash for you and avoid you a headache. Keeping a roof maintained can help it last a long time.
Safety is priority one when roof repair is involved. Do not attempt to repair a leaky roof when the weather is stormy or you could be seriously hurt! Damaged roofs are unstable during rainy weather, so do not take such a risk. Use a bucket to catch the water until you can fix the problem.
Never attempt to fix a roof when it is raining, snowing, or conditions are icy. A wet roof can cause you to fall and seriously injure yourself. If you are doing your roof yourself, work on it when it is sunny and dry outside.
When you are choosing roofing contractors, it’s important to look at background references. Whenever you check out these references, follow up on them by contacting them so you can ask them their opinions on the contractor’s work. You should also go and check out some of their previous work. Drive around and look at the work before determining who you will hire.
Do not let a contractor pressure you into hiring them. Such shysters can be very aggressive, so do what is necessary to shut them down.
Be sure the roofer has all necessary licensing for doing the job. Do not trust the roofer to tell you the honest truth about what is required. Look up your local building department and call to ask what paperwork is needed.
Anyone who does work such as this absolutely needs to have insurance. If you hire a contractor without insurance and something goes wrong, you have to pay for it. Don’t just ask prospective roofing contractors if they have insurance, have them provide the insurance documents saying that it is comprehensive and current.
Before installing your new shingles, check them thoroughly for any damage or defects. Many leaks stem from improper installation, including cracked shingles, and nails that are the wrong length. You need to be sure that your shingles are nice and strong and without cracks, and make sure you are using the right nails.
Ask roofing contractors about the type of warranty they have. Some contractors might offer better deals than others. On top of that, be sure to get the warranty and the estimate in writing, so you will have this information on hand. This will make the work that he does legally bound.
If you’re in need of a new roof on your home and consider yourself an environmentalist, consider installing a living roof. Living roofs are composed of layers of soil and provide space for gardening. You can only do this on flat roofs, but it’s great insulation.
Don’t try to get too miserly when purchasing new materials for your home’s roof. The cheapest supplies aren’t necessarily the best option as they can end up costing you more money down the road.
Now that you have read this piece, you ought to feel as though you are more knowledgeable about your roof. If you take good care of your roof, you will have fewer general maintenance problems. Remember the tips you’ve learned from this article, and use them to handle any roof problems.
