Your roof protects you from the elements. That makes it very important to maintain your roof as well as possible. All to often, though, homeowners either forget or neglect the roof, and by that time, it’s usually too late. Use the advice listed in this article to ensure that your roof remains in great shape for years to come.
If your roof is leaking in the rain, wait til it dries to fix it. It’s too dangerous to work on a wet and slippery roof. This will allow you the time to do the job right and do it under safe conditions.
Sometimes a leak is the result of a faulty shingle, but other times, there may be an issue with your roof’s foundation. Water can get into your home anywhere that dry rot has occurred. Check all entry points to make sure this doesn’t happen.
Whenever the weather is bad, you should never get on top of your roof. A wet roof can cause you to fall and seriously injure yourself. If you’re doing roof work yourself, make sure to do it during dry and sunny days.
The roofing contractor you hire must have proper licensing for the work involved. If you have no idea what your local requirements are, don’t take the contractor’s word for it. Pay a visit to your local City Hall to get the information you need, straight from the source.
Contractors with workers tend to be cheaper than those who work alone. More workers means the job will be completed quicker, which means lower costs. If you have a contractor doing it alone, make sure that they aren’t inflating the labor costs because of it.
Speak with the person working on your roof to see if they offer any kind of a warranty. Some companies may offer you a deal that is a little better. Additionally, get your warranty in writing when you get your estimate, this way you have documentation in your possession. If you do things this way, you can be sure the terms don’t change after the work has been completed.
Always ask for several references before hiring a roofing contractor. A company that performs well and is honest should have no problem coming up with multiple references. Find another contractor if the roofer you were interested in cannot provide you with references. This is generally a read flag that means trouble later on.
Do not worry if you are unable to immediately find your roof leak. By utilizing a water hose and some help, you will eventually find it by a process of elimination. If your house is large, talk on cell phones in order to prevent unnecessary deluges of water during testing.
In order to properly maintain your roof, you need to clear away any and all debris. Build up of such materials causes water to stay put. When water sits on your roof, the shingle’s bottom layers with probably rot and those are expensive repairs.
Your roof is all that stands between you and the wild outdoors. Use the tips from this article to avoid serious roof problems and keep your family safe. The work you put in will really pay off in the long-term.