Keep your roof in tip-top condition tends to be quite a bit of work. It takes a lot of time and you have to put in some effort as well. If you decide not to do the work and neglect your roof instead, the problems will only grow. Keep in mind that the roof over your head is protecting your family and valuables, so it’s important to care for it properly. This article will explain the steps you need to take.
Examine your roof on a yearly basis. Winter and spring are the two seasons where your roof can become corrupt. In that time make sure you keep an extra eye out for issues.
Leaks come from having damaged shingles, but you should also inspect your roof’s foundation. Dry rot on the side of your home can allow water to enter your home. Look at every point of entry to make sure you fix the problem completely.
When roofing, think about safety first. Trying to get a leak repaired when the weather is bad is something that could really hurt you. Keep a bucket underneath any leaks until you have improved weather and then go inspect your roof.
Don’t every try and repair your roof in wet, snowy or icy conditions. If your roof is slippery, you’ll likely fall and sustain an injury. Only work on a sunny, dry day.
When fixing a leak, you must finish the job right to begin with. If you find one bad spot, there could be more, so keep looking for them. Inspect the entire roof to be sure that the leak is not a sign of bigger problems.
Make sure to wear rubber boots if you ever need to get on your roof. This is necessary to ensure that you have good footing, even in dry conditions. It’s risky to walk on your roof, so make sure you are always thinking about safety.
Due diligence is essential when seeking to hire a roofing contractor. Don’t just hire the cheapest guy or the first one you find. Rather, do a bit of research on all the contractors in your area. Check online, ask for references from loved ones and contact the Better Business Bureau.
Whenever you narrow down your list of contractors, ask each one their provided warranties. Look for a warranty that lasts 3-5 years, however longer is better. The warranty ought to cover poor workmanship and defective materials and needs to incorporate any manufacturer’s warranties also.
Don’t install new shingles until you’ve gone over your roofing materials. Installation issues like crooked nails or cracked shingles are a major source of leaks. Make sure all shingles do not have cracks and are strong, and that your nails are long enough to penetrate the shingle completely and secure them to the roof.
Living Roof
If you’re in need of a new roof on your home and consider yourself an environmentalist, consider installing a living roof. A living roof has a soil layer that can support vegetation such as grass or even a vegetable garden. Living roofs will only work in some climates and on some flat roofs.
Never cut corners! Buying cheap or shoddy materials will just cost you more money in the future when you have to replace them.
There are many small things that you will need to take into consideration when retaining a roofer. Do they call you back promptly? Do they show up on time? Do they provide you with a typed bid? You would like your roofer to have these qualities.
Don’t let a contractor do work for you if they don’t act professional in every area. A roofer should give you a quote for the job that is easy to read and comprehensive. If the whole process is professional, that means their work may be as well.
Coated Metal Roofs
A roof made of coated metal is a more environmentally friendly choice, if that is an issue of importance to you. Coated metal roofs are recyclable and are more energy efficient than traditional roofing materials. Coated metal roofs may even cover asphalt tiles, negating the need to throw them away.
Keeping your roof in good condition isn’t an easy task. Now you know just how important your roof is. Look at this article when you have roofing issues down the road. It’s a very useful resource.