Don’t Hire an Expensive Contractor! Use These Tips for Caring for Your Roof Instead!

Your home’s roof is a very important component. Your roof is essential in a way that goes beyond metaphors. If you are a homeowner, you know how important it is to care for your roof. The information below will be of vital use to you.

TIP! The number one priority when doing any roofing repairs is safety. Trying to fix issues while the roof is wet can cause serious injuries, or worse.

Inspect your own roof annually. Typically, roofs suffer the most damage during winter and spring. Because of this, it is especially important to inspect your roof during these seasons.

TIP! Cut the grass a little while before the roofing contractor arrives to remove the roof. This helps keep debris and falling nails in order.

Never delay in repairing or replacing shingles. Waiting to fix small problems is not a good option since you might end up spending a lot more if the problems get worse. If you tackle the issue immediately, you could wind up saving yourself a lot of money. If your roof is properly maintained, it will last quite a while.

TIP! If you’re looking to hire a contractor to work on your roof, be sure and look at their references. You should ask the reference about the quality of the work and the price paid.

When faced with snow, ice, or rain, it is best to postpone your roofing project. This could cause injury and roofs are difficult to replace while moist. It is in your best interest to tackle your project on a dry, sunny day.

TIP! As you select your roofer, look into how long he has been engaged in this kind of work. Those with long histories have learned how to please customers.

You should choose materials used for your roof in relation of the weather. If your climate is dry, clay roofs are an excellent option because of their ability to cool a house. In rainy climates, a clay roof can deteriorate quickly. If you have doubts, just ask.

TIP! If you think your roof is leaking, spray it with a garden hose. This will show if you have a leak and the area where the leak emanates from.

When fixing a leak, you must finish the job right to begin with. The first spot may not be all there is in need of repair. Look at the complete roof, and you may see that the leak is a result of numerous problems.

TIP! Pay attention to the little things when you hire a roofing contractor. A roofer that is punctual is one that you can depend on.

There are some questions you need to ask the roofer before you hire him. One inquiry should be about how many nails the roofer will place into every shingle. Typically, they should use more than 3 nails. Ask them about the procedures that they will be using. If not, look somewhere else.

TIP! If you’re considering some creative and unique roofing options, ask the potential contractor about the amount of experience the roofing crew has with what you are considering. If the roofer does not have much experience, find someone else.

You should always first ask family and friends regarding contractors when getting started. Ask them about their experience with roofers, whether or not they were satisfied with the quality of service and the price of the job. Also, find out whether the contractor cleaned when the job was finished and whether a warranty was provided.

TIP! Whether you are having a new roof installed or having repairs done, make sure you inspect all materials being used. Cracked shingles are easy to find in advance, but can cause big problems in the future if overlooked.

When you find a contractor, make sure they are covered by liability insurance. To begin with, if they’ve got this insurance, you can ensure they’re reliable. Secondly, if a worker sustains injury on the job, the roofer’s insurance will cover medical costs.

TIP! Roof maintenance is important and if you do not want to do it yourself, you may be able to hire a roofer to do it. Even a perfectly executed roofing project can incur damage later on.

When you have come up with a short list of possible contractors, check with each with regard to their warranties. You’re looking for a warranty which lasts between three to five years. The longer it is, the better. The warranty needs to cover defective supplies and sup-par workmanship, and they should also supply you with copies of the manufacturer warranties too.

TIP! OSHA requires roofing contractors to have safety plans for projects. This plan is needed because it helps you to be sure that the project will be completed correctly.

One thing to ensure is that the contractor you choose is insured and bonded. If you hire a contractor without insurance, you are going to have to pay for any damage that might occur. Simply receiving verbal confirmation of insurance is not enough; make sure you see a copy of the document to ensure it is up to date and comprehensive.

TIP! When looking for a roofer, make sure he or she tells you about the whole process. Your contractor should explain to you what products they use, what the clean up process is, and how much you should expect the job to cost you.

If you hire a contractor who has workers to help them, it is often cheaper than hiring a contractor who works alone. A team of roofers will finish the job faster, which will often result in a cheaper final product. A person working alone will often charge the same price, but will work more slowly. Make sure the labor cost is not too high.

TIP! Take it slow when hiring a contractor. If you don’t know where to start looking, speak with friends, neighbors, or family that might have hired someone before.

Ask your roofer about warranties on his work. Some companies may give you a better deal than others. Ensure the warranty is given in writing along with your cost estimate. That allows you recourse if anything happens.

TIP! Get all paperwork to your contractor well before they are scheduled to start working. Often, bonds or permits are required before your roof can even be touched.

Do not try to cut corners when it comes to buying quality roofing materials for your home. Although it is possible to obtain cheap materials, they are often lower quality. As a result, they will likely wear out sooner, which means you will have to replace them more often. This can cost you even more money than simply purchasing more expensive, but higher quality, materials.

TIP! Determine your roof’s age to see if a minor repair or full replacement is needed. The age of the roof will likely determine whether you need the entire thing replaced.

After a blustery wind storm, if you cannot see your roof even on a ladder from the ground level, you should get on top to inspect it. If you see any damage, it needs to be repaired immediately. Give it a quick look-over every time, but remember to do so safely.

TIP! Be careful with contractors who send their employees from door to door selling services. A solid roofer doesn’t need to peddle his business this way.

SAFETY PLAN

TIP! Be wary of storm chasing contractors. There are contractors that hang around residential areas after a huge storm has hit.

All roofers need to create a safety plan when starting a project, so says OSHA. The safety plan ensures that projects are completed the right way. Always ask whether a prospective contractor currently follows such a plan. If they don’t give you a safety plan, you should seek out another roofer.

TIP! It is dangerous to allow ice to build up on top of your roof. It can cause a variety of roofing problems.

Not all roofers are equal in skill, so choose your contractor carefully. Don’t choose your roofer based on a fancy advertisement. Word of mouth generally is the best kind of advertisement. Ask for recommendations from friends, or check out online forums for reviews. Consult the Better Business Bureau and other consumer rights organizations to inquire about the past reputation of potential contractors. The wrong contractor may ultimately drain your wallet.

TIP! Don’t ever hire a contractor without proof of licensing. If the work does not turn out as promised, you will have no recourse available.

The condition of the roof of the home can show how well you are doing as a homeowner. There are lots of maintenance jobs that can be deferred, but roofing isn’t one of them. Utilize the great knowledge provided here to ensure your roof remains in the best possible condition.

TIP! When doing roof work, attach the ladder securely on the roof with a board and nails. A ladder makes it a lot easier to navigate and move around.