Taking care of your home's roof is a pretty big job. Catching problems early requires constant vigilance, and any repair work that you do have to do is likely to be extensive. Become a better homeowner by preparing yourself for the kinds of roof issues you may face in the future.
Inspect your roof yearly. A roof will suffer the most damage during winter and springtime. For this reason, these are the times to pay close attention to your own roof.
Always be safe when you're up on your roof. If you don't know what you're doing, don't go up there! Wear the right safety gear and don't do anything that puts your body at risk. Remember to bring along the right tools for the job as well to ensure you do the work right.
Never hire a roof contractor that can not supply you with a list of satisfied customers. Having a roof repaired or replaced can be expensive. Additionally, if they do not do quality work it could lead to water damage inside of your home. Be cautious and always ask for references before hiring a roofer.
Never work on your roof by yourself. You should always have someone else present, even if it is solely for the purpose of having someone that can call emergency services if you fall. Falling from the roof can be a disaster, but not having someone to help you is even worse.
Replace any missing shingles as soon as you notice that they have come loose. One missing shingle could eventually lead to thousands of dollars in damages. To make sure that this does not happen to you, you should check your roof once a month for any shingles that may have fallen off.
See if your roofer offers a warranty. Even if you're working with an excellent contractor, mistakes can happen, and you want to be sure you're covered. Typically, most roofers offer warranties for roof replacements, but not the cost of replacements. See what's available, consider it when you're deciding who you should work with.
Avoid ice build-up on your roof in the winter time. This potentially devastating situation occurs when snow begins to melt close to the interior lining of your home, then freezes, creating a seal. That ice can remain for a long period of time with low temperatures and create leaks and warping. Proper ventilation and insulation should remedy the problem.
If your home needs a whole new roof, you may want to consider going with a green roof. Becoming more and more popular, green roofs allow for green growth, from materials like wildflowers and grass. Having these materials on your roof saves you tons of money each year and is great for the environment.
There are many perks to living in an older home, but the roof usually isn't one of them. If your home's roof is over ten years old, you may not be able to insure it at all. Make updating your roof a priority. Make sure any replacement uses primarily new materials so that finding insurance coverage won't be a problem.
If you want to replace your roof, think about using a green alternative for material. Recycled roofing material, composed of used rubber and plastic, not only saves money but serves the environment. Solar panels are another option, as they can also reduce energy costs. They can also create a tax credit for homeowners.
Before you buy a new home, you should have the roof inspected by a professional. A normal home inspection might miss issues with the roof, and could cause big problems for you down the line. As an added bonus, if you decide to sell your home, you'll be able to show the results of the inspection to prospective buyers.
When hiring a roofer, don't let cost be your only consideration. While you want to avoid paying too much, you also want to make sure that you don't skimp on other things that are as important. Make sure you get estimates from a few different contractors and know what is included in each quote.
If you are thinking about which roof material to install on your house, consider the cost of the material but also the longevity. Some materials last much longer than others, and some are naturally fire-resistant. You have to think about more than just appearance and cost; consider all factors when purchasing material!
If you are in the process of building a new home, pick a roofing material that has a long life. You do not want to worry about replacing your roof 15 or 20 years after you move into your new home. Check out several types of roofing materials before making your choice.
If you are replacing a roof yourself, always remember to lay a tarp on the ground. When you replace your roof, broken shingles and thousands of nails may fall to the ground below. If you tarp the area, you will make cleanup faster and easier. If you do not, you might find debris on your ground for months to come.
Always check the condition of roofing materials before they go on your house. It is very common for shingles to crack whenever they are installed. If you do not notice this problem immediately, this can result in a large expense in the future. Keep your eyes peeled during the entire installation.
When hiring roofers, ask prospective companies if they employ sub-contractors. If the workers do not work for the company directly, it can create a liability issue. You should double check prior to signing any contracts.
After the roofing work is finished, get up there and make sure everything looks good. You don't have to be an expert in construction to spot an issue or to know if something is not quite right. Do not write out the final check until you take it upon yourself to inspect the work that was done.
Hopefully, the information you've just reviewed has added some useful knowledge to your store of homeowner know-how. Being well-informed always makes a big difference in preventing and repairing damage to your home. This is particularly important when it comes to roofs, because catching problems early is the key to minimizing their effects.
