A roof is the first defense against inclement weather. That is why it has to be properly maintained. Many homeowners make the issues are major. Use the advice listed in this article to ensure that your roof the right way.
Whenever you’re working on your roof, you must take steps to secure yourself safely. Many people suffer serious injuries attempting to perform roof repairs. The height and steepness of many roofs make falls a serious possibility.
If your roof is leaking in the rain, wait for it to dry before you find out where exactly it is and try to fix it. You can’t walk safely on a wet and slippery roof.A dry roof is much safer.
Never neglect safety when working on your roof. You can be seriously injured by attempting to fix a leak during a storm. Put a bucket under that leak until weather conditions improve and wait for clear weather.
When you’re trying to hire someone to do roofing work for you, you need to check on their background references. Ask previous customers whether they are satisfied with the work done and the price paid. You should also make it a point to have a look at some of these homes yourself. Drive by and take a look before making your final hiring decision.
Don’t try to fix any roof during wet weather. A wet roof can cause you to fall; this may result in a bad injury or worse. If you work on the roof on your own, do it when it’s dry and sunny outside.
Consider your climate when thinking about roofing. Clay roofs work great in dry climates and can help to keep the house cool. Clay tiles should not do well in wet climates as they will deteriorate much quicker than other materials would. If you are unsure, don’t be afraid to ask.
Co-workers, friends, and family should be the first resources for picking a contractor. Find out whether he used good quality materials, did the work at a good price, and whether they were pleased overall with the job he did. Also find out what kind of warranty their roofer gave and whether he cleaned up the job site.
Mow your lawn before the contractor work on your roof. This will make the process of finding nails easily. Your roofer may use a metal detector to locate lost nails, which works well in tandem with short blades of grass.
Always be sure that you’re not paying for the full amount up front if you don’t have to. You may have to pay around 25% of the amount to get the job started, but avoid paying anything more. You don’t want to find yourself on the receiving end of poor job or incomplete work.
The age of your roof is the most important factor in deciding whether to repair or replace it. A lot of roofs have a mere 20 years of life before needing to be replaced. If your roof was installed on top of an old roof, you really have no choice once twenty years has passed but to replace it.
When shopping for a contractor, ask them about the warranties they provide. You want at least a 3-5 years.The warranty should deal with poor work and defective materials, and they should also supply you with copies of the manufacturer warranties too.
Make sure any roofer that you hire has the proper licence to do the job. Do not trust the roofer to tell you the honest truth about what he says. Contact the local building department where you live and see what kinds of things you’re going to need.
Only award your roofing work to a contractor who can prove he has valid insurance and proper licensing. If they can’t then look elsewhere. If they do poor work that can cause costly damages to your house, you have no recourse.
A good team can achieve good results more quickly.
The age of your roof is a good indication as to whether it needs to be replaced or not. Many roofs only last for around 20 years prior to needing replacement. If your existing roof was put directly into an older one, you are going to have to get a new one after 20 years.
When undergoing a roof replacement, you may want to consider architectural shingles. These kinds of shingles look better than the more traditional kind and they 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.
Don’t get discouraged if you’re not able to find out where a leak on your roof. You will find the source eventually if you use a water hose, and the use of a water hose and a buddy system can help. If you have a large house, talk on cell phones in order to prevent unnecessary deluges of water during testing.
It’s very important to catch damage to the shingles are replaced as soon as possible. Look at the roof each time, remembering to be safe.
If you want an environmentally friendly roof, think about a roof made of coated metal materials. These types of roofs are totally recyclable, and they can really save you on energy costs. A coated metal roof can even be placed over asphalt tiles, which means your old roof won’t be clogging up a landfill.
As was mentioned earlier, your roof is a great source of protection and safety for you and your family. Keep the tips from this article in mind and keep your family protected all year long. It will definitely be worth the effort you put into it.