One of the most complicated parts about being a homeowner is all of the responsibility that comes with it. In addition to upkeeping it yourself, you have to worry about how much maintenance costs and what benefits it provides. The following article can be used to help out whether you should hire a professional contractor or take on the task yourself.
While leaks sometimes do come from problems with your shingles, you should also check the foundation of the roof. If there’s dry rot on your home’s sides, water will be able to get in through there. You should examine all potential entry points so that you can find the problem.
Wet conditions are the enemy of safe and effective roof work. Rain, sleet, and snow can cause you to fall, which can seriously injure or even kill you. If you are performing your own roof repair, only work when conditions are sunny and dry.
When a leak is getting fixed, you have to be sure that the job is done correctly the first time. If you find one bad spot, there could be more, so keep looking for them. One leak can turn out to be multiple issues.
There are some questions you need to ask the roofer before you hire him. One question you should ask is, how many nails per shingle they use. Generally if they say three, that isn’t enough. Don’t be afraid to find out your contractors shingling methods to see if their work meets industry standards. If you don’t like what they say, choose someone else.
If you have already called a roofing contractor, but he is not scheduled to visit for a few days, you should try to provide yourself with a temporary fix for your leaking roof. Nail heavy plastic on the leaky area. This method is not the best way to address a leak, but it will buy you time while you wait.
Investigate the credentials and reputation of a roofing contractor before signing a contract. Ask your friends and family for recommendations if you know they have hired someone in the past. This is important because you don’t want to have a poor roofing job done which would result in costly repairs in the future.
Once your list of potential contractors is narrowed down you should see if any of them provide warranties. Find one that is covers you for at least 3-5 years to be safe. The warranty should cover defective materials, as well as workmanship, and they should provide you with copies of any relevant manufacturer warranties.
One thing to ensure is that the contractor you choose is insured and bonded. If damage occurs to your property and your roofer doesn’t have the required insurance, you’re left to pay the bill. Don’t simply ask if your contractor is insured, make them show you the documentation that proves it.
The age of your roof is the most important factor in deciding whether to repair or replace it. Most roofs have a lifespan of twenty years before replacement is needed. If your current roof is installed over an older layer of roofing, you are going to have to redo your roofing in 20 years.
Regardless of how you want to handle fixing your roof, you need to be educated about the process. This article serves as a great initial step, but you can still undertake additional investigation. Use what you read here to make an informed decision.
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