Content create by-Mathiasen Landry
Of all the different parts of your home, few are more critical than your roof. A well-built and well-maintained roof does far more than just keep you dry. It protects other important parts of the structure and plays a huge role in your home's ability to stand up to weather. Check out the advice below and learn how to treat your roof right.
If you notice a leak during a rain storm, hold off on your inspection until things dry out. You can't walk safely on a slippery roof. When it's dry you can fix it safely and properly.
Since you're going up on your roof anyway to do work, clean the gutters while you're there. Sometimes a leak can actually be the result of backed-up gutters. Try cleaning them out and then hose down the roof - if the leak doesn't reappear, you may have actually solved the problem.
If you have a leaky roof, make sure that your gutters are clear. If there is no way for water to drain, then the gutters can accumulate rainwater and cause leaks in the roof. Install ridge and soffit vents so you can prevent any dry rot from developing on your roof.
When looking around for roof insurance, there are some questions you need to ask a potential company. Exactly what does the insurance cost? Will rates ever go up? What does the insurance cover? These questions need to be asked prior to agreeing to purchase roof insurance to be sure you are getting the coverage you need.
If you live in a hot and dry climate, it is best to roof your house with a light color like light grey or white. Lighter colors end up reflecting the suns rays. Darker colors like black can absorb the suns rays, resulting in your house being really hot.
Don't hire a contractor unless they can give you proof of up to date insurance and licensing. If they can't, don't hire them. The reason being, a poor job will result in future damage which will be costly and detrimental to your home.
When signing a contract with a roofer, check for the small print about material costs and labor. Do sign with a company which lists the costs and what will happen if their costs increase during the job. Also go with a company which charges around $1.50 a square foot for decking replacement.
Do
roof maxx love the look of wood shingles but not the fire hazard? You can now purchase roofing material that presents the look of wood shingles, but is made of steel or composite materials instead. The steel roofing is pre-formed with the appearance of shingles, but is actually large panels.
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 are getting bids from a few different roofers, have each of them give you a list of how much the materials are and what the cost of labor is. You want to know exactly what everything is costing you, as it will allow you to compare different people more effectively.
Don't ever paint your roof, no matter how much you think it will improve in appearance. Older shingles may crack, look dark and otherwise take away from the beauty of your home, however; painting causes serious and permanent damage to the roofing system. Simply replace the old tiles or have the whole roof done, or wait until you can, rather than trying paint.
Those that live in colder climates should be concerned with excess ice buildup on their roof. Ice can collect under your roof shingles and gutters and cause serious damage so it is very important to address this issue. Make sure that your roof is properly ventilated and there are ice shields installed so as to prevent this problem.
Those that live in colder climates should be concerned with excess ice buildup on their roof. Ice can collect under your roof shingles and gutters and cause serious damage so it is very important to address this issue. Make sure that your roof is properly ventilated and there are ice shields installed so as to prevent this problem.
When researching roofing companies, find out if their workers are subcontractors. If the workers do not work for the company directly, it can create a liability issue. This is one of the legal points you want to check on before you hire a contractor for the job.
There's one area of roof maintenance that many people forget about - roof boots. These boots are made of rubber and they are near where the fence of the roof comes up. They have been known to dry out after a while. When they dry out, leaks are likely. Therefore, it's important to regularly inspect them and if needed, replace them.
Don't let unscrupulous storm-chasing contractors dupe you. These unethical contractors will scour an area for work following a major storm. Many of them are from other states and have no documentation for your state. Some indicators that a contractor might be a storm chaser include out-of-town area codes, vehicle sticker signs and references from other storm-ravaged areas.
Check your attic for water after the first time it rains on your new roof. You'll be able to make sure there are no leaks left unrepaired. It will also make you aware of any weak shingles you may have.
Finding a leak doesn't mean it's time to fix it: think "safety first" and plan ahead for those big repairs.
roofing king or strong winds can turn a simple repair into a serious accident. The roof is a dangerous place if you aren't prepared for what's to come. Plan ahead for a cool, calm evening.
The roof above you may only seem to have a small problem here or there, but in reality it is beyond the life expectancy and needs replacing. Use this article to help gauge the severity of your situation. The tips point out a few problems that you may not be be aware of.
