One of the most critical tasks of home-ownership is maintaining the condition of the roof. Unfortunately, most people don’t know what it take to keep a roof in good condition. Read over the following advice, and learn ways to ensure you are doing what needs to be done in order for your roof to live a long and reliable life.
Faulty shingles are the most common cause of a leaking roof, but structural problems can also be to blame. If there’s dry rot, water may be able to enter a home. Look at every point of entry to make sure you fix the problem completely.
If you’re getting pitched to by a high pressure roofing salesman then you need to tell them you’re not interested. These people will not stop annoying you until you sign their contract and you will always lose, so stop it before it starts.
Ask your potential contractor about the warranty that they provide. The warranty should last at least three years. The longer it lasts, the better. This will cover you in the event of poor work.
One thing to ensure is that the contractor you choose is insured and bonded. If you work with an uninsured contractor and something is damaged, you’ll be the one responsible for the cost. Don’t just take their word for it either; ask for proof that they have plenty of up to date, comprehensive coverage.
If you select a roofer who uses employees, you may get a better deal than if the roofer works alone. More workers means the job will be completed quicker, which means lower costs. A person working alone will often charge the same price, but will work more slowly. Make sure the labor cost is not too high.
Speak with a roofer about their offered warranties. You may be able to get a better deal if you talk to certain companies. Also, make sure your warranty is a written one, that is provided along with your price quote. This will allow you to clear up any disagreements that may occur at a later time.
Don’t get discouraged if you can’t locate the source of a leak on your roof. If you keep looking, you’ll find it eventually, especially if you get a friend to help you search with a garden hose. If your house is large, talk on cell phones in order to prevent unnecessary deluges of water during testing.
Spray your roof with a garden hose to test it out. This will confirm the location of the leak, if there is one. You can do this for free, and on your own, without bringing in costly roofing professionals.
You don’t want to forget the small things when you’re hiring a roofer. You can probably depend on a roofer that shows up on time. They should also give you a bid that’s typed as this is professional. You want these qualities present in your roofing contractor.
Talk to any homeowner, and they’ll probably tell you how important it is to keep your roof in good shape. Sometimes, however, that end goal can be elusive. Fortunately, the article above has provided a strong base of knowledge from which any homeowner can begin learning as much as possible about this most critical topic.