Article written by-Pontoppidan Kidd
One of the most complicated parts about being a homeowner is all of the responsibility that comes with it. Aside from actually performing your own maintenance, measuring costs and benefits is stressful in itself. Keep reading to learn if the job is something you can do or if it is time to contact a contractor.
Never work on your roof by yourself. You should always have someone else present, even if it is solely for the purpose of having someone that can call emergency services if you fall. Falling from the roof can be a disaster, but not having someone to help you is even worse.
Avoid putting off a roof repair for any length of time, even if it seems like a minor issue. Once a shingle or two have blown off, it's much easier for the wind to get underneath the rest and blow them off too, one-by-one. Fixing your roof right away will minimize damage, saving you money.
If you are seeking out a leak on your roof, use a hose to find where the problem is. If you aren't having any luck, reverse the direction of the water. If you're pouring it down the roof, try spraying it up the roof. Continue to move the water around until the leak is found.
If you plan on hiring a roofing contractor, talk to your family and friends first. This will help you find someone who does good quality work at a reasonable price. Ask how well contractors cleaned when they finished the job and if they offer warranties for future repairs.
When choosing shingles, it is important you properly assess how long you would like your roof to last. For example, if you need a new roof but don't plan on living their for over ten more years, you could save money by using shingles that aren't meant for time periods longer than this. Remember, however, this has the possibility of lowering the value of your house upon the sale.
When meeting with prospective roofing contractors, request a minimum of three references from past clients. A company that performs well and is honest should have no problem coming up with multiple references. It would be a wise decision to move on to the next contractor of the company you are considering refuses to show references.
Click On this page is definitely a bad sign.
Do not ask your roofer to work on your gutters. This is not their area of expertise and they are likely to mess up. Therefore, simply focus on having them do your roof, and if your gutters need to be replaced as a result, find someone to do that job that specializes in it.
Never use bleach to clean your roof. While bleach is something that is very effective at cleaning many areas of your home, it should never be used to clean your roof. This is because the chemicals found in bleach are corrosive, and they may cause a lot of damage to the roofing materials.
Never hire a roofing contractor who expects a deposit up front. A good contractor has financial stability, so they won't ask you for money to cover their supplies until the supplies have been delivered to your home. Also expect a great contract which details all expenditures on your part and that of the contractor.
Before a contractor starts working on your roof, don't hesitate to ask any question you may have. The worst thing that could happen is if you don't ask something and that becomes a problem you have to deal with later. If your questions aren't being answered by a contractor, your better off working with a different one.
A quick check with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) is always a good idea before you commit to working with a particular roofing contractor. Doing
Suggested Website will let you see any complaints that previous customers may have had with the contractor. You ought to make inquiries with the area Chamber of Commerce.
Find a roofing contractor that you can trust. Instead of opening up the yellow pages and picking the first roofer you see, get recommendations from friends, the Internet or from local referral services. This will help make sure your roof is good quality and the job gets done the correct way.
When you are looking to balance both longevity and affordability, consider wood shake shingles. This type of roofing can last as long as half a century, yet the price tag is quite reasonable. You also do not have to shore up your trusses to install a roof made entirely of this material.
Always ask your roofer how long his company has been in business for. How much experience the roofer has is important, but that is not the same thing. You want to go with an established company that has a number of satisfied customers. They will work hard to make sure they uphold their reputation with each job that they do.
Inquire as to whether or not your contractor has sub-contractors. If the workers aren't employed by them, liability issues could arise in the future. Review everything carefully prior to signing an agreement.
Whenever you are making repairs or inspecting your roof, you need to wear the right shoes. Roofs can be quite slippery so make sure that your shoes have good traction on them. Generally, you want your shoes to have a rubber sole as this material will give you the best grip.
Beware any roofing contractor who is unable to prove that he is properly licensed and insured. If you want to have recourse in case of a botched job, the roofer will need to have been licensed in your state. What if you give $1,000 or more to an unlicensed contractor? It's illegal in some states!
It is important to know your roof's age in order to determine what type of repair is necessary. Knowing when to replace your roof largely depends on how old your roof is. A typical roof lasts 15-20 years. If yours is that old, replace it rather than repair it.
Damaged roofs are quite a big burden. Luckily, the article you've just read has supplied you with important information that you can use to handle any roofing issue. You can make repairs and keep your roof properly maintained. Use what you learned here and get your roof back in tip-top shape.
