Whether you spend hours worrying about your roof, or you don't give much thought to your roof at all, it's important to know how to take care of it. Roof repairs can be costly, and a little maintenance can go a long way. This article will equip you with some essential roofing advice.
If you're looking into hiring a roofer, the first question you should ask is how long the company has been in business. Someone might sound great on paper, but if they're new to the game, they may still be ironing out kinks in their business practices. You don't want to be the one they test things out on.
If you will be going up on your roof to fix a leak, always work with a buddy. Roofing can be really dangerous and a fall can be devastating. Using a harness will help to ensure no bad accidents happen. You always want to wear rubber soled shoes for extra traction too.
Make sure any roofer that you hire has the licensing necessary to do the work. If you do not know the proper licenses a contractor should have, never trust your contractor's word on the matter. Call your area's building department to find out what is needed.
Never use bleach to clean your roof. While bleach is something that is very effective at cleaning many areas of your home, it should never be used to clean your roof. This is because the chemicals found in bleach are corrosive, and they may cause a lot of damage to the roofing materials.
It is not easy to find a good roofer. If you think you have a possibility, ask that person to give you at least three references that you can contact. Speaking with former customers will give you an idea of what type of professionalism and work you can expect from your roofer.
Slate roofs can offer you something that a shingle roof cannot, this is an aged and sophisticated look. Slate roofs have been used for hundreds of years, as tar shingles have not been produced for as long as people have needed roofs. Some of the most famous buildings have slate roofs, all having a sophisticated and timely look.
One great way to check up on your roof is from the underneath. Climb up into your attic during the day and check whether any daylight is peeking through. If you can see the sun, that means there is definitely a problem, so call in an inspector right away to determine the issue.
Before a contractor works on your roof, ask questions first. In fact, failing to ask any questions can cause huge problems in the future. When he hedges the question, move on.
Ask your contractor if they can do annual maintenance on your roof. Whatever the qualifications of your roofer, you are likely to have some issues, especially if your local area has extreme temperatures. A yearly visit can help keep your roof in the best shape possible.
When inspecting your roof, take extra care to any areas where there are valleys. Valleys are where two of your roof intersections join together (they are also called ridges). These are common places for leaks to form and debris to collect so make sure that you take note of these areas during your inspections.
Never try to make repairs to your roof whenever the weather is bad. Although you may be impatient to fix the problem, safety should always come first. It can be very dangerous to get on your roof whenever it is storming outside, or there is ice on the roof. Wait until the weather is right, and then, you can attempt to repair your roof.
If you notice roof damage towards the middle of your roof, then it is likely you do not have water damage. Instead, you probably have dry rot, which occurs whenever the plywood is deteriorating. You can prevent this problem by putting in a ridge vent. However, in order to install this type of vent, you must have a properly running soffit vent. Drill holes through the soffit vent so cool air comes from the bottom and warm air is pushed out the top.
When inspecting your roof for leaks, do not neglect to check the valleys. A roof's valley is an area where two roofs intersect together. Due to gravity, water naturally settles onto these places, causing the water to slosh back and forth. This results in added pressure onto the valley, resulting in leaks.
If a roofer tries to get you to make quick, expensive fixes to your roof, you should be wary of doing business with them. Unfortunately, there are scam artists in this profession who will try to get the most amount of money for the least amount of work. Temporary repairs simply are not going to cut it, because you will find that you will have to spend a lot more money for a permanent fix in no time at all.
Take the time to research any roofing contractor that you are considering for the job. Many people neglect the researching stage because they are dealing with contractors and not companies, but professionals will still have a history online. There are many sites dedicated to the sourcing and reviews of these contractors.
If you live in a cold climate, take extra precautions when having your new roof installed. When the temperature dips below freezing, rain left in your gutters can freeze and cause cracks. Your roofer can prevent this by installing an ice and water barrier. This rubber membrane may cost a few hundred dollars more, but it can also save you thousands.
Even if you don't give a lot of thought to your roof, you should still know how to take care of it. This article has provided you with some great tips that should help you in a number of situations. If you take good care of your roof, it'll take good care of you.
Orignal From: How To Deal With Roof Issues Easily
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