When you see a yellow stain on your ceiling, or a storm blows through, your roof is often the first thing on your mind. It can feel like a chore, and some things get put off. However, one area you can\’t neglect is maintenance of your roof. It is important to take care of your roof because it protects your home, family and belongings from the elements. In this article, we will share some tips on caring for your roof.
Safety needs to be first. Trying to repair a leak while it\’s raining or during a storm can seriously injure you, or worse! Place a bucket under the leak until the weather clears up, then go have a look at your roof to see if you can repair the problem.
Don\’t every try and repair your roof in wet, snowy or icy conditions. If you\’re working on a wet roof, you\’re putting yourself at risk of injury or death. If you\’re making roof repairs, do it when it\’s dry and sunny.
You need to consider the climate when choosing a roof type. When you live in a dry climate, go for clay tile. Clay roof tiles on a house in a rainy climate will result in the roof deteriorating rather quickly. If you are unsure, you can always ask.
Be secured as you traverse the roof. It\’s surprisingly difficult to maintain your footing, even if the roof is only slightly sloped. Sadly, countless people sustain injuries or worse as a result of falls.
Don\’t hesitate to interrogate a would-be contractor before signing anything. One question you should ask is, how many nails per shingle they use. Three nails usually will not get the job done. Ask about their personal techniques and you just might get a good answer. If you cannot get a reasonable answer, find someone else.
Get contractor referrals from loved ones. Make sure you question them on a contractor\’s costs, service level, and craftsmanship. Also, find out whether the contractor cleaned when the job was finished and whether a warranty was provided.
Turn down offers made using pressure tactics. Roofers who try to sell their product this way are not people you want to deal with. These salesmen are simply in it for the profit.
If you can\’t find a leak, don\’t be discouraged. It\’s only a matter of time before you find it through the process of elimination and using a water hose may help in combination with a buddy-system. If you have a big area to cover, talk to your helper by cell phone when you test various areas to avoid excess water from getting into the house.
You may want to use architectural shingles if you are going to replace your roof. They\’re great looking and last a long time. In addition, these shingles are highly sought by many buyers, and that means they can add value to your home when it comes time to consider resale.
Don\’t pay a down payment before the work starts. It\’s not a sign of good faith for a company to want all the money up front. In fact many scam artists follow this technique and then never do any work. Rather, pay a smaller percentage initially, and pay the remaining balance once you are happy with the final product.
Inquire as to your contractor\’s participation in industry groups. The good contractors are going to be involved in these groups so that they keep up with all the latest trends and current information. When they\’re not a member of any, don\’t hire them.
If you are having work done on your roof, inspect all of the materials beforehand. Shingles are sometimes damaged when you purchase them and they can crack once they are installed. Only install quality, defect-free materials for the best, longest lasting results.
All roof contractors are not equal, so be sure you choose a good one. Don\’t go by the splashiest ads. Strong personal recommendations are often the best. Look online for reviews or ask your friends and family for a recommendation. Investigations with your local business bureau may give out useful information. Hiring a bad contractor could cost you plenty of money.
As said earlier, no one loves household chores, especially roof maintenance. Still, it is one of those jobs that comes along with being a homeowner. Use the things that you have read here to help you take on any kind of roofing issue that may occur. Your hard work will be rewarded.
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