Unfortunately, you can’t trust roofing contractors to provide the best work and price. In order to get the best word out of them, you need to know what you’re talking about. Read this article to learn all about roofing.
Don’t hesitate to replace shingles. It may seem okay to hold back on fixing small problems, but those small problems can balloon into giant issues. Replacing or fixing shingles now will prevent trouble and money spending in the future. Maintaining your roof will extend its life.
Don’t try to fix your roof during wet weather. Wet roofs greatly increase the chances of accidents caused by slips and falls. The best time for do-it-yourself roof work is on warm, sunny days.
Make sure that you fix your leak right the first time. This means never stop when you’ve discovered a first issue. It’s easier to find and take care of all current and potential leaks at once, rather than have to repeat the repairs a few months down the road.
Take care that you secure yourself properly when on the roof. Losing your balance is a serious danger, regardless of the steepness of your roof. A loss of balance can cause major injury and may be fatal in some circumstances.
Once you have narrowed down your list of potential contractors, ask them what kind of warranties are available. Most roofers offer a warranty on their work for up to five years. The longer the warranty you can get, the better. The warranty ought to cover poor workmanship and defective materials and needs to incorporate any manufacturer’s warranties also.
Always check the status of your roofer’s license before hiring him. If you do not know the proper licenses a contractor should have, never trust your contractor’s word on the matter. Pay a visit to your local City Hall to get the information you need, straight from the source.
If you choose a contractor that has workers for him/ her, this could end up being a cheaper option than a contractor that works alone. A group of roofers are going to perform the job much faster, which should lessen the total cost to you. If you have a contractor doing it alone, make sure that they aren’t inflating the labor costs because of it.
Ask the contractor what what warranty is offered on the work done. Some companies will provide better coverage than their competitors. Also, make sure to get any warranties and estimates in writing, so you will have them in your possession. This will prevent possible disagreements on terms later.
Living Roof
A living roof is a way to “green” your home. A living roof provides you with space to plant. You must have a flat roof for this design and there are some climate considerations, but a living roof may also provide insulation.
Ask for references when hiring a roofer. Honest companies will gladly provide these to you. If a company tries to skate by this request, look elsewhere. That can mean trouble in the future.
Locating the exact spot where a roof is leaking can take a little time. It’s only a matter of time before you find it through the process of elimination and using a water hose may help in combination with a buddy-system. If you have a large house, try using cell phones to talk so that the water doesn’t go into the house by mistake as you test possible leak areas.
If you think your roof has a leak, bring a hose with you and spray the roof down. This will confirm the location of the leak, if there is one. You can then make the choice whether you can fix that leak or whether a professional is necessary.
Only hire roofers that give you proof of valid and current licensing and insurance. Anyone who is unable to provide this information should be shown the door. If you hire a contractor who is not properly insured, you will have to cover any damage they cause.
Architectural Shingles
Think about selecting architectural shingles for a roof replacement project. These shingles are more attractive than regular shingles, and have a longer lifespan. They can also improve your home’s resale value; a roof with architectural shingles is a popular feature that’s in high demand in the real estate market.
Before you have any repairs done to your roof, you need to know more about roofing. This is important if you want the best work done. Use what you have learned here so that you can get your roof correctly repaired to avoid trouble later on.