Roofing Tips You Can Put Into Practice Today

TIP! Inspect your roof once a year at the bare minimum. Roofs normally suffer from significant damage during the months in winter and spring.

No homeowner wants to be facing major roof repair project. It is wise to make small repairs to your roof before they become larger issues.Read through these tips to learn what goes into proper roof maintenance.

TIP! Safety is priority one when roof repair is involved. Do not attempt to repair a leaky roof when the weather is stormy or you could be seriously hurt! Damaged roofs are unstable during rainy weather, so do not take such a risk.

Safety should be a strong consideration with taking on your roof.You can get hurt if you try to fix your roof under severe weather conditions.Put a bucket where it’s leaking and then look at the roof to determine whether or not you can fix the issue.

TIP! Don’t go up on your roof in inclement weather. When you have a roof that is wet then it could cause you to fall and get hurt pretty badly.

Don’t try to fix any roof during wet weather. A wet roof can cause you to fall; this may result in a bad injury or worse. If you are doing your roof yourself, only do it when the weather is dry and sunny.

TIP! Rubber boots should be worn when working on the roof. Even if the weather is dry you don’t want to take any chances of slipping off the roof.

Mow your lawn prior to having a contractor work on your roof is replaced. This will allow you to have an easier to find any nails that fall on the ground so you can pick them up later. If your roofer has a magnetic nail locator, short grass will also help this tool work more efficiently.

TIP! If a local roofing salesman gives a high-pressure pitch, tell them no thank you, then show them the door. These people will not stop annoying you until you sign their contract and you will always lose, so stop it before it starts.

It is important that you check out your potential contractor’s history before you hire. Once you’ve got them, give them a call and ask them about the value and quality of the work. You should also go and check out some of these homes yourself. Drive by and take a look before choosing your final hiring decision.

TIP! If you have a leak, fix it temporarily. Buy some heavy plastic, and secure it with nails.

Make sure whatever roofing contractor you choose has adequate liability insurance. The main thing that this will show you about a policy bodes well for a contractor’s reliability.If anything happens while they work on your roof, their insurance will cover the bills.

TIP! When you have a short list of contractors you want to contact, find out what kind of warranties are available. You’re looking for a warranty which lasts between three to five years.

If you’ve called a roofer, but he is not scheduled to visit for a few days, you might want to try a temporary fix. Get a sheet of heavy duty plastic material and cover the leaking area with it.

TIP! Roofing contractors you hire should have current credentials. Nearly every locale needs licensed roofers, so carefully look at their licensing is valid and current.

When you have your contractors narrowed down, be sure to ask about warranties. You want to be offered 3-5 year warranty. The warranty needs to cover defective supplies and sup-par workmanship, and you should have manufacturer warranty copies too.

TIP! The age of your roof is going to help you figure out whether you need to replace it. Roofs usually have a maximum of twenty years before they need to be replaced.

Insurance is vital when it comes to this line of work. If you hire a contractor without insurance and something goes wrong, you’ll be the one responsible for the cost. Don’t just speak with the person doing the job to see if they have the insurance, comprehensive coverage.

A good team can achieve good results more quickly.

TIP! Factor in how long a roofer has been practicing his trade when choosing who to hire. If the company has been in business for quite some time then they probably are able to keep people happy.

Get references for any roofing company you are thinking about hiring. A reliable company will have no problem giving you references. If a company tries to skate by this request, another contractor should be hired. This might be a read flag that the work isn’t going to go as planned usually.

TIP! Only award your roofing work to a contractor who can prove he has valid insurance and proper licensing. Do not hire a contractor who cannot provide you with these documents.

If you are concerned about a leak on the roof, spray it with a garden hose. This will let you determine if you have a leak and also where the leak is located. This can be a lot cheaper alternative to having to hire a contractor.

Think about using architectural shingles for a roof replacement project.They’re more attractive and last a long time.

It’s very important to catch damage to the shingles as soon as possible. Give it a brief look, but remember to do so safely.

Get several quotes before hiring a contractor. Some contractors are unwarranted. To avoid falling for a scam and losing your money, evaluate the roofing market.

Inspect all materials that are being used on your roof. Be sure that you’re paying attention to what you’re doing at all stages of the work.

TIP! Many people neglect roof boots when roofing. Rubber boots can be found in the area where your roof’s fence comes up; they tend to dry out.

No matter how well the roof is installed, problems can come up, especially if your area is prone to extreme temperatures. An annual checkup will ensure that your roof remains in good condition.

TIP! Always research prospective roofing contractors by contacting your local Better Business Bureau branch. The BBB is a reliable source to find out about other customers’ past experiences with contractors in your area.

Climbing onto a roof is something that can be dangerous. Roofs aren’t built for people to safely stand on.Wear shoes with rubber sole to prevent slippage. You should also make use of a harness if you have one.

TIP! Hiring a roofing contractor is never an easy process, so make sure that you take your time. Ask loved ones for recommendations.

Have your contractor outline the whole project in full.He should tell you about materials, from costs to clean-up. Ask plenty of questions so you don’t understand something the plan. If your contractor will, it is a red flag, and you should consider hiring a different contractor.

TIP! Be wary of roofing companies that solicit your business. Reputable roofers with solid community ties generally do not need to actively seek out new clients on a door-to-door basis.

When searching for a roofing company, inquire as to whether their employees are sub-contractors. If the company does not employ these workers, that may pose a problem if there is a liability issue later. Make sure you are aware of any sub-contractors before you make a commitment.

TIP! If you live in a cold area, be sure you don’t let ice build up on your roof. It can cause a variety of roofing problems.

Make sure you wear shoes have rubber soles. It is dangerous working on your roof. Rubber-soled shoes provide the traction you need to prevent dangerous falls. A roof can prove rather slippery. It can be hard to stay sure footed without the proper preparation.

TIP! Find a contractor that specializes in roofing for the best results. His license number can provide you with the gateway to information on his area of expertise.

You can’t ignore your roof. That can result in serious problems down the road. Instead, use what you learned here to make sure your roof is in good shape. Keeping yours well-maintained can save you tons of money and trouble in the long run.