Article written by-Perry Shields
Buying a home doesn't make you a roofing expert, but eventually the time will come when you find yourself needing to know a few things about roof repair and maintenance. The more you know about roofing, the easier it is to make smart decisions. Read on to find helpful information and to learn the basics of roofing.
Safety is priority one when roof repair is involved. Attempting leak repairs during rainstorms can cause serious injuries. Put a bucket beneath any leaks until the weather improves, then go inspect the roof and see if it's possible for you to repair it.
Make sure to inspect your roof at least once a year. You want to be sure that your roof is in general good condition and free of any potential leakage problems. Try to make your inspections during the springtime when the weather is good so as to reduce the risk of injury to yourself.
If you are doing your own roofing job, make sure to practice proper ergonomics. Roofing involves carrying tools up and down ladders onto the roof. Carry only what is comfortable for you. Bend from your knees and lift with your legs. Always be aware of how your back is bent, when actually installing the roofing materials.
When looking into different types of roofing material, you must take into account various factors. For example, the price range you are placing your budget in will ultimately decide what you are able to afford. A slate roof will be very expensive, however, it will last longer than your lifetime.
The age of your roof determines whether it needs to be replaced or not. Most roofs need to be replaced about every 20 years. After 20 years or so, it is in your best interest to replace your old, worn roof.
Look at the materials you have before you put on new shingles. A lot of leaks come from just installing the roof because shingles are cracked or nails aren't the correct size. Be sure that you have strong shingles that don't have any cracks and that you're using nails that can penetrate your shingles so that they are secured onto the structure.
One of the main reasons for roof leaks are due to clogged gutters. When you don't clean your gutters regularly, you allow water to buildup whenever it rains. This in turn, can cause leaks to occur. Be sure and clean your gutters of all debris regularly so as to prevent this from happening.
There are several factors to consider when choosing a roofing material. For example, asphalt shingles tend to be the cheapest, but they deteriorate quickly and aren't environmentally friendly. Wood shingles are attractive and last a long time, but must be fire treated. Think about what's most important to you and your budget when considering your material.
When a windy day blows through, check your roof once it's over. It's imperative that damaged shingles are replaced as soon as possible. Make sure to do this after every storm to stay safe and save money.
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.
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.
roof waterproofing could go a long way towards convincing you to hire or stay away from that company.
Don't put down all the money on a roofing job prior to work being done. One common scam among dishonest contractors, is to demand full payment up-front. These shady characters will rarely return to finish the job. Instead, pay a certain percentage up-front, and then wait to pay the remainder until the work has been completed to your satisfaction.
You may want to consider avoiding chain roofing companies. While they may do a fine job, they usually cost a good deal more and pay their employees far less than their competition. This can mean that their employees are less satisfied and experienced due to a high turn-around. Be sure to consider this before choosing a contractor.
Finding a leak doesn't mean it's time to fix it: think "safety first" and plan ahead for those big repairs. Cold ice or strong winds can turn a simple repair into a serious accident. The roof is a dangerous place if you aren't prepared for what's to come. Plan ahead for a cool, calm evening.
While it's important to address roofing problems right away, you should always put off work if the weather is bad. Working on a roof during a storm is incredibly dangerous, and the benefits of getting work done right away aren't worth the risk. Take care of problems when you see them, but don't do work until the weather is safe.
When choosing
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1hKL4vg0hzR2FuipNNCNz0OFjS_z_2hTLDH9BK2ZWMzA/edit?usp=sharing , find one that offers a warranty for their work. If you are getting your entire roof replaced, a warranty is commonplace. If you are just getting the roof repaired, however, many contractors will not offer a guarantee. Insist on one. Get a copy of the warranty for your records.
If you need to do work on your roof, don't do it alone. Climbing on a roof can be dangerous, and you'll be much safer if you have another person there to assist you. If the worst happens and you have an accident, you want to make sure someone can get you help immediately.
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.
The roof on your home plays an incredibly vital role in that it protects you, your loved ones and your treasured belongings from the elements. The fact remains, however, that you may be somewhat lacking in know-how when it comes to the topics of maintenance and repairs. By returning to the information above with regularity, you can become an expert on taking care of your home's roof.
