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# Valuable Roof Repair And Maintenance Advice For Your Home

by Steve Ormand | Dec 31, 2014 | Consumer Education 101

Being a homeowner means you are responsible for your home. There is maintenance and repairs that need to be done on a regular basis. This article has many tips and tricks that will help you get the job done, so read on.

Don’t attempt to do roof repairs in bad weather conditions, such as snow, ice or rain. If the roof is slippery or wet, you may fall, resulting in a potentially major injury or even death. If you’re making roof repairs, do it when it’s dry and sunny.

Mow your lawn before the contractor comes to remove your roof. This will ensure he can find any dropped nails easily. If you get a contractor that has a nail finder with magnets on it, it will work better in shorter grasses.

Confirm that your contractor has the necessary skills to perform the job. You might need to speak with people you know to see if they have any recommendations for you. It is important mainly because you won’t want to have your repairs be done poorly, as they will only cost you more in the future.

Never go up on your roof without professional training. If there are issues, have a professional come take a look. You should not take the risk of having the roof cave in with you on top of it.

Make sure that any contractor you consider for your roofing job has current full credentials. Nearly every state makes licensing a requirement, so be sure that they have the proper licensing. Also check out their insurance and Workers’ Compensation.

Ask your roofing contractor if they offer a warranty on their work. You may be able to get a better deal if you talk to certain companies. Also, it is important that you get your warranty in writing, as well as the estimate, so as to keep it in your possession. This will prevent ant disagreements in the future.

Always ask a contractor to provide references. A reputable firm will have no problem giving you references. Go with another company if you find one that will not provide you with references. It can mean real problems down the line.

Use your hose to spray a leaky roof. This will let you know if you have a leak and where the leak is. This is a lot cheaper and quicker than hiring a professional.

Don’t put down all the money on a roofing job prior to work being done. Sometimes, contractors will take your money without doing any work. Because of this, you should only pay a small percentage upfront. Only pay the rest when the contractor has completed the work.

Find out what trade associations your contractor belongs to. Professional contractors keep current with technology, techniques, and news, meaning that they’re a part of other groups that discuss these things. When they’re not a member of any, don’t hire them.

When a windy day blows through, check your roof once it’s over. It is best to fix damaged shingles right away and remember that a small problem can quickly turn into a major leak. All it takes is a quick inspection following every storm. Just stay safe and don’t rush yourself.

Be sure you ask all your questions before the roofing begins. If you let your questions go unanswered, it can result in problems. If your potential contractor waffles on any questions, look in another direction.

It is important to inspect your materials well whenever you have to make repairs to your roof. Shingles sometimes crack and need to be replaced immediately. Take note of the condition of the materials during all stages of the project.

Confirm your roofing contractor’s credentials before hiring. Doing this will let you see any complaints that previous customers may have had with the contractor. Another wonderful source of information is the Chamber of Commerce in your community.

Don’t agree to any verbal contracts. A lot of times, people make verbal agreements with contractors, but have problems when the work is poor. A written contract is your best way to ensure that they will be liable for any lapses in quality of work.

You may want to take on roofing projects yourself, or you may want to hire professionals. Either way, you need to be informed. Reading this article is the first step, as you will learn everything you need to about your roofing options. Use what you read here to make an informed decision.