Don’t neglect your roof in your efforts to maintain your home. The roof is the most important part of your home when it comes to protecting your family from the elements. No matter what type of roof you have or what problems you face, you are sure to find value in the tips below.
When your roof leaks during a rainy spell, note the place where water is coming in. When dry conditions return, go up on the roof, find the damaged spot, and repair it. A wet roof can become corrupted if you work on it too fast, and it’s quite easy to slip. A dry roof is a safe roof.
Safety should be your number one priority when working on your roof. If it is raining outside and you attempt to make roof repairs, you may end up getting injured or worse. Use a bucket to catch the water until you can fix the problem.
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 are doing your roof yourself, work on it when it is sunny and dry outside.
Wearing rubber boots whenever walking on top of your roof is necessary. Regardless of the weather, rubber-soled shoes are a necessity for keeping your footing on the roof. Roof repairs will typically place you in harms way several times during the duration of their repairs, so be careful and think twice.
Take care that you secure yourself properly when on the roof. It’s critical, and you can lose balance when you haven’t climbed onto a roof often; thousands are hurt or lose their life from falling each year.
Before signing a contract with a roofing contractor, there are many questions you need to ask him. For example, see how many nails they’re going to be putting into the shingles. Three nails are usually insufficient. Question them about their methods and see if you get a satisfactory answer. If not, look somewhere else.
Does your roofer have liability insurance? If the contractor has this insurance, he is more likely to be a reliable professional. Secondly, if a worker sustains injury on the job, the roofer’s insurance will cover medical costs.
When you have a short list of contractors you want to contact, find out what kind of warranties are available. You want to be offered 3-5 years of coverage. Ideally, look for warranties that cover any issues caused by human error and defective materials. Ask for copies of each warranty.
The age of your roof often dictates whether or not you replace it. Roofs are generally warrantied for 20 years. If your current roof was installed over an old one, after twenty years you don’t have any other option besides replacing it.
Look over the materials you’re using for roofing before you get new shingles put up. Installation issues like crooked nails or cracked shingles are a major source of leaks. Be sure your shingles are sturdy and without cracks and make sure your nails are long enough to secure the shingles properly.
A living roof is a great option for those trying to live a “greener” life. Living roofs have a layer of soil where plants can grow. Though not all climates will support year-round vegetation, the roof is still very efficient due to its insulating qualities.
By now, it should be clear that roof maintenance and care should be a priority. Be sure to use the advice given earlier so that your home and your family remain safe. Investing a little extra time in the process can save you considerable distress in the future.