
A roof is essential to a home. Individual homeowners have various levels of roofing knowledge; most don’t know much at all. Reading the following information is a good way to learn more about roof care.
Don’t check out and fix a leak until the rain stops. Leaks cannot be quickly patched anyhow, and it may be dangerous to climb atop a wet roof. When your roof has dried, you are then able to safely fix your roof.
Never neglect safety precautions when working on your roof. It’s just too risky to get up on your roof during inclement weather, when accidents are most likely to occur. Put a bucket where it’s leaking and wait for clear weather.
Cut your grass just before a contractor arrives to take off your roof. It’s not uncommon for nails and other debris to land in the grass during construction. Shorter grass allows you to locate any errant nails. If he has a magnetic tool for finding nails, it will work best with the short grass.
It is important that you check the references of any contractor you hire. Once you have their references, give them a call and ask them about the value and quality of the work. Take a tour of the neighborhoods and pass by the references’ addresses. Also, you can drive by to check out the work that was done.
When hiring a contractor to work on your roof, do your homework. Don’t just accept the cheapest repairman who comes to call. Instead you need to look around at different roofing companies where you live. Check online, ask for references from loved ones and contact the Better Business Bureau.
Liability Insurance
Check that a prospective roofing contractor carries liability insurance. First of all, there are plenty of shady roofers out there, but the ability to carry valid liability insurance is beyond most of them. Also, if damage occurs to the roof while they work, their insurance pays the cost.
Never pay the whole amount for roof repairs up front. It’s common to pay about 25% up front, but any more expected by the contractor could be a danger sign. It would be horrible if they did bad work or didn’t do everything you thought they would.
If you plan on hiring a contractor, you should ensure they have proper credentials that are updated. Nearly every locale needs licensed roofers, so carefully look at their licensing is valid and current. They must have liability insurance and worker’s compensation paperwork as well, so make sure you see that too.
The age of your roof will determine whether it needs to be replaced. Most roofs need to be replaced about every 20 years. If you installed your roof above an old one, you definitely need to have it replaced after twenty years.
You can’t debate the crucial functions of the roof when keeping your pets, valuable, and family safe. But, many homeowners don’t know what it takes to properly care for their roofs. Hopefully, the tips in this article have helped you gain that knowledge.