A lot of people buy a house, but when there’s a problem with their roof, they realize they don’t know much about maintenance or care. However, just a bit of knowledge goes a long way in helping to make decisions regarding the repair and maintenance of your roof. For roofing advice and insight, read on.
Look over your roof at least once per year. Roofs tend to suffer the most damage in the spring and winter. Because of this you should make extra time during these seasons to check on your roof.
Replacing Shingles
Never delay in repairing or replacing shingles. Although you may believe that it is okay to procrastinate on this for a little while, doing so can cause worse damage in the future. Repairing or replacing shingles right away will save you money and a headache in the long run. Taking care of your roof will make it last.
When you fix a leak, it is imperative that you get the job done on the first go. Do not find one bad spot and stop. Be sure and inspect your entire roof to ensure that you don’t have a more widespread problem or additional leaks in other areas.
Don’t set step on your roof without properly securing your footing. This is vital since you can easily lose balance if you have not been on a roof much. Thousands of people get killed or injured from falling off their roofs.
Mow your lawn prior to having a contractor work on your roof. This helps make it easier to find nails that may hit the ground. If the contractor uses a magnetized nail finder, cut grass can also help.
Make sure you research any roofer before you hire them. Hiring a bargain contractor is often a good way to lose money that could have been used to make quality repairs. You should be doing solid research and reading reviews about contractors in your area. Investigate the possibilities online, talk to friends and co-workers, or use a referral service to locate the best company for the job.
Liability Insurance
When you pick a roofer, make sure they carry liability insurance. First, a roofer with liability insurance is a good sign that he is dependable. Secondly, in the event that something should happen to your house, their insurance should cover any damages.
Only hire an experienced contractor. Talk to loved ones for suggestions on who they used. This is crucial since you want to avoid poor roofing work that could be expensive later on.
The age of your roof is a major factor in deciding whether it needs replacing. Usually, roofs have a lifespan of 20 years before they need replacing. 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.
Inspect your roofing materials prior to putting up new shingles. Leaks can occur if sub-par materials are installed. Being sure that the shingles are in perfect condition and that you are using the correct nails to hold them securely will help the roof to last much longer.
Ask your roofer about any warranties they might offer. You may find a better warranty with another company. Also, get any warranty in writing with your estimate, so you have all the necessary information you need. This way, you won’t have any term disagreements when the job is finished.
You shouldn’t get frustrated if you can’t figure out where your roof is leaking. Sooner or later you will find it using a process of elimination. Having a friend help you along with a water hose can aid this process. If your house is large, utilize cell phones for communication to avoid having water leaking into the house any more than necessary when you test various areas to locate the leak.
Architectural shingles are some of the many options you have for replacing your roof. These are much better-looking than regular shingles and last longer, too. Since these shingles are considered premium materials, using them will increase the value of your home, leading to a higher sale price when the time arrives.
Ask your contractor to tell you what industry associations he takes part in. These associations help contractors learn more about latest techniques and tools, which means your contractor should be more efficient if he belongs to a few associations. If they are not a member, inquire as to why not, and rethink the possibility of hiring them.
Speak with family and friends when seeking a roofing contractor. Finding a contractor by word of mouth remains the best strategy. If you have previously hired other home improvement contractors, they might have some names to suggest as well. If anything, you should be pointed towards what you should be looking for after asking.
Just like other areas of your home, your roof needs to be kept up with in order to minimize damages and costs. Simply keep the information that has been shared here with you in mind, and you should have no troubles tackling anything that comes your way. Don’t let your roof become a problem.