Roofs can be very difficult to maintain. You have to be invested in the process. If you decide not to do the work and neglect your roof instead, the problems will only grow. The roof is what protects your home, so it needs to be properly cared for. This piece will teach you how.
Leaks often come from shingles, but don’t discount a foundation problem as well. If there’s dry rot, water may be able to enter a home. Look for ever potential entry area, rotten wood included, to be sure you get the problem permanently fixed.
When fixing leaks, do it right the first time. You have to continue searching out problems, even if you find a spot with an issue. Look over all of your roof; there may be more problem areas than you first suspected.
Take care that you secure yourself properly when on the roof. This is key, because you can easily lose your balance, which can result in serious injury or death.
Prior to the removal of your old roof, make sure your lawn is cut short. This will make the process of finding nails that fall to the ground much easier for your contractor and for you. If the contractor uses a magnetized nail finder, cut grass can also help.
If you plan on hiring a roofing contractor, talk to your family and friends first. Ask those people you know best about their opinions on the work done, if they thought if was a fair price, and if the materials were of good quality. Ask how well contractors cleaned when they finished the job and if they offer warranties for future repairs.
Make sure whatever roofing contractor you hire has adequate liability insurance. This will confirm the legitimacy of the company. Secondly, if something were to get damaged while your roof was being worked on, their insurance company would cover the costs.
Try not to use any short-term fixes on your roof. Though you may think you are saving money, more damage can occur, which will cost even more. It’s best to fix problems immediately, instead of letting them get worse.
You should avoid going up on the roof yourself and looking for any damage. If you think there are problems, hire a professional to do an inspection. You definitely don’t want to be walking on the roof unsuspecting as it caves in on you.
When hiring a contractor, ensure he has the proper licenses. Never take a roofer’s word as the gospel truth. Talk to your local building department and find out what the contractor should have.
What warranty does your roofer offer? You may find one company to have a better warranty than others. Make sure you always get your warranty on paper and hold onto it. This will prevent possible disagreements on terms later.
Living Roof
If you want a new roof that is environmentally sound, consider a living roof. A living roof is comprised of enough soil to grow plants and flowers. This is only appropriate for flat roofs in a certain type of climate, but it provides great insulation.
If a roof leak has you worried, use your hose to spray the area at issue. This is a great way to see if there’s a leak and you can also see where the leak is coming from. You will not have to spend money on a contractor just to find out.
It can take time and energy to care for your roof. However, you should now realize how important it is. Use this article as a quick reference guide if you run into roofing troubles later. You’ll appreciate its advice.