Roofers will not always have your best interests at heart. For quality work, you need to know enough about roofing to know what should be done. Keep the following tips in mind to be sure your roof is in the best shape possible.
If you think your shingles need replacing, do not hesitate to act. While you may believe it is okay to put off a roof repair, you will only further the damage by prolonging it. Taking care of shingles right away can save you a lot of money and stress. If your roof is properly maintained, it will last quite a while.
Consider the local climate when thinking about roofing. Clay roofs are great for dry climates and can help to keep the house cool. Clay tiles should not be used in wet climates as they will deteriorate much quicker than other materials would. If you do not know if these are ideal for you, ask a pro.
Mow your lawn before the contractor comes to remove your roof. Major roof work will inevitably scatter some nails on your lawn, and close-cropped grass will make it easier for you or your contractor to recover them. Short grass, combined with magnetic nail finders, makes locating nails even simpler.
You need to ask many questions prior to engaging a professional roofing contractor. For instance, see how many nails a given contractor uses for every shingle. Three nails or less is generally considered inadequate. Ask them about their work, and really consider the answers. If you don’t like what they say, choose someone else.
If your contractor cannot make time to do the repairs to your roof right away, temporarily repair the leaks yourself. Nail heavy plastic over the leak. While not ideal, it will provide a temporary solution for you.
Don’t use band-aid solutions. These shortcuts may seem like affordable solutions, however they can often result in further damage that will cost even more to fix. You want to always catch any roof problems before they get worse.
Choose a roof contractor with some good credentials. Roofers should be licensed. They must have liability insurance and worker’s compensation paperwork as well, so make sure you see that too.
Look over the materials you’re using for roofing before you get new shingles put up. Leaks often occur quickly due to improper installation. Be sure that the nails and shingles are in good shape before you add them to your roof.
Keep your roof clear of leaves and other debris to make it last. Build up of such materials causes water to stay put. This can damage shingles, lead to rot and cause leaks.
Architectural Shingles
Use architectural shingles when you replace your roof. Architectural shingles look much better than regular ones and will last longer. Also, these types shingles are highly desired so they can actually improve the value of your home.
Don’t give a contractor all of the money for your roofing job before they even begin. A common trick that sheisty contractors use is to get the payment in full and then never return to do any of the work. Rather, pay a percentage up front for start-up, and then pay the remainder when the job has been done to your satisfaction.
As mentioned before, when soliciting roofing contractors, a bit of advance research is necessary. This can help you avoid issues later. Using the information provided here will ensure you get the right materials for a good price when you need to seal or repair your roof.