Your roof is as important to your home as the foundation – it keeps everything dry, retains a comfortable temperature and ensures nothing comes flying at you from the sky. Despite this, it’s surprising how many homeowners are completely clueless on roofing matters. Paying attention to the following information can ensure you understand roofing maintenance and care.
Although your shingles can sometimes cause a leak to occur, you should check out your roof’s foundation. If the sides of your home have dry rot, water can enter your home there. Go over each and every potential entry point, especially rotting wood, to make sure the issue has been resolved completely.
Mow the lawn prior to the removal of your old roof. It’s not uncommon for nails and other debris to land in the grass during construction. Shorter grass allows you to locate any errant nails. Short grass, combined with magnetic nail finders, makes locating nails even simpler.
Be sure the roofer has all necessary licensing for doing the job. If you do not know what licenses are required, don’t simply take your roofer’s word. Pay a visit to your local City Hall to get the information you need, straight from the source.
Be sure that your roofer has insurance. Without insurance, you are liable to paying for damages. Ask if the roofer has insurance in place, and make sure you see written documentation that it is current and sufficient in amount.
If you are concerned about a leak on the roof, you would be wise to take a garden hose and spray it. This will confirm the location of the leak, if there is one. This can be a cheaper alternative to having to hire a contractor.
Never skimp in terms of roofing materials. Cheaper materials typically won’t last as long, causing you added expense later. Save money in the long run – buy quality materials.
Don’t forget the little things when hiring a contractor. If someone makes it to all their appointments on time, or calls you at the time they told you they would, it’s likely that they’re reliable. Also, providing you with a typed quote is another sign of a true professional. You want both of these qualities to be present in your roofer.
Always ask any questions that you have before you allow work to begin on your roof. If you let your questions go unanswered, it can result in problems. If your contractor isn’t willing to answer questions, then you probably should find another contractor.
Coated Metal
If you want a roof that is environmentally friendly, you should choose one that is made of coated metal. It’s recyclable and reduces energy bills. You can place coated metal roofs over asphalt tiles. By doing this, you will significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
When it comes to maintaining your roof, one area that most people neglect are the roof boots. These are rubber and they are located near the roof fence. It is easy for them to become dried out. If this happens, you may get a leak, so inspect them and replace them if need be.
It is tough to overstate the key role of the roof in any home. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t know how to properly maintain their roof. Hopefully this article has begun the process of bridging the knowledge gap, and has provided useful instruction to all who have perused it.