Contractors, gutters, and shingles – words that scare the pants off many a homeowner! There is so much to learn about roofing, but there are not many good resources out there. This article will guide you along. This article will talk about tips and techniques to improve your roofing knowledge.
If your roof is leaking in the rain, wait til it dries to fix it. A wet roof is an accident waiting to happen. Fix the roof a day after the storm hits for the best results.
Don’t hesitate when it comes to replacing shingles. You may want to avoid repairs, but waiting will only make things worse. If you tackle the issue immediately, you could wind up saving yourself a lot of money. If your roof is properly maintained, it will last quite a while.
Check both the roof’s foundation and the shingles when you notice a leak. If you notice dry root on the sides, then water has a chance to enter. Review all entry points, look for rotting wood and make sure the issue is resolved.
Take the time to question your contractor prior to signing any contract. One inquiry should be about how many nails the roofer will place into every shingle. Typically, they should use more than 3 nails. Ask them about the methods they use, and see if they give a good answer. If you don’t like what they say, choose someone else.
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is a must for any roofing contractor you intend to hire. First, a roofer with liability insurance is a good sign that he is dependable. If anything happens while they work on your roof, the insurance will take care of it.
Try to avoid paying the complete price up front. Offer a quarter of the total cost before they start work; avoid paying more. Some contractors will not consider your roof as a priority anymore once you pay the full amount.
Stay away from short-term fixes for your roof. It may be cheaper for now, but it will get more expensive in the future. The best rule to follow is to always fix the problem fully, and as soon as you can, to avoid worse problems later.
Once you have your potential contractors list narrowed down, ask each what sort of warranties they provide. You want a warranty of at least three years, but the longer the warranty the better. The warranty should cover defective materials, as well as workmanship, and they should provide you with copies of any relevant manufacturer warranties.
Ask your roofing contractor if they offer a warranty on their work. One company may offer you a better warranty than another. Also, it is important that you get your warranty in writing, as well as the estimate, so as to keep it in your possession. This will ensure there shouldn’t be any disagreements about any of the terms of the estimate or warranty later on.
Living Roof
If you want to go green when installing your new roof, think about acquiring a living roof. A living roof has a soil layer that can support vegetation such as grass or even a vegetable garden. Although only appropriate on flat roofs in certain climates, a living roof also provides excellent insulation.
If the source of your leaky roof is evading you, don’t worry. You are going to find the problem, and the use of a water hose and a buddy system can help. Communicating by mobile phone will be helpful to avoid lots of water entering your home.
Only employ roofing contractors that can give you proof of insurance and an active license. If they cannot, then you should not even consider hiring them. The main reason for this is because if they don’t do a good job it may cost you a lot of money to repair things later and there would be nothing you could do about it.
Keep your roof clear of leaves and other debris to make it last. If debris builds up, it can cause water to stagnate. When water sits on the roof, rot begins to happen and that can cause leaks which cost a lot of money to fix.
Ask any contractor you are considering what associations the roofing company is a member of. A good contractor is a member in associations that meet and discuss the latest technologies of the trade. Not belonging to any trade association may mean that a contractor is not as knowledgeable as he should be, and not as concerned with quality as you want him to be.
Always inspect your roof after a storm. 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.
There’s a ton to learn when it comes to roofing, so don’t get scared off by it! What you have learned here will give you help in a variety of situations. Whether you seek out more information or stick with what you know, you’re in a good place. Keep all this information in mind as you make decisions.