Struggling With Your Roof? Try These Tips!
When it comes to your roof, it is extremely important that you know how to take proper care of it. Too often, people neglect their roofs until a problem develops that can no longer be ignored. Keep this from happening to you by using the following tips to properly maintain your roof throughout the year.
Always be safe when you're up on your roof. If you don't know what you're doing, don't go up there! Wear the right safety gear and don't do anything that puts your body at risk. Remember to bring along the right tools for the job as well to ensure you do the work right.
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.
Have a leak in your roof? Check out your gutters. The gutters of your home can easily become clogged, and can be a major cause of leaks, especially if they have not been cleaned recently. If you see they are filled with debris, like leaves, be sure to clean it out.
Ask for copies of the roofing company's liability coverage before letting them work on your roof. If they are an experienced and professional company, then they should have these papers with them when they meet with you. Any company that doesn't carry or outright refuses to provide copies of their insurance and papers detailing worker's compensation should be avoided.
Some of the new types of roofing materials are steel panels, slate tiles and shingles formed from composite materials. These roofing choices range from average price to very expensive, and the most expensive ones can last the lifetime of the house. Consider how long you will own your home when choosing your roofing material.
When inspecting your roof for leaks, it is important that you inspect the whole roof, not just one section. If you find a troublesome area of your roof, you should still check all areas, as there could be more problems elsewhere. It will be cheaper for you to have all fixes done at the same time, rather than waiting.
If you hire a contractor who has workers to help them, it is often cheaper than hiring a contractor who works alone. The finished job is typically much cheaper because of the group effort put forth by the roofers. Just make sure that if you're hiring just one person you don't get charged too much in labor costs.
While you may only see problems with your roof in the valleys on top of your home, this is one way in which your roof will beg for replacement. These are "high traffic" areas for water, so damage will almost always begin here first. Once it starts, it is time to replace your roof.
It can sometimes be difficult to locate a leak in your roof. You will find the source eventually if you use a water hose, and having a buddy will help as well. Communicate via cell phone if you have a large house so that you ensure there is no large pools of water flowing into the home as you test for leaks.
Don't ever paint your roof, no matter how much you think it will improve in appearance. Older shingles may crack, look dark and otherwise take away from the beauty of your home, however; painting causes serious and permanent damage to the roofing system. Simply replace the old tiles or have the whole roof done, or wait until you can, rather than trying paint.
If you are looking to have a roof installed which will last the test of time, consider slate. These roofs often last over a century! You must have very strong trusses in place to support such a heavy roof, but when you invest in this material, you really get bang for your buck!
When you've narrowed your search for a roofing contractor to a few companies, consider asking each company for local references. This will allow you to see how recent customers felt about the business provided by the contractor. It could go a long way towards convincing you to hire or stay away from that company.
When selecting professional roofers, it pays to contact the BBB. This lets you check on what kinds of complaints may have been made about the contractor that you may be hiring later. Your city's Chamber of Commerce is another place to check with.
As was stated in the beginning of this article, many homeowners neglect taking proper care of their roofs until a serious problem arises. Make sure you use the tips and tricks illustrated above to ensure that your roof is always in good health so that you won't ever have to deal with costly problems in the future. You'll be glad you did.