Being a homeowner comes with a large amount of responsibility and commitment. When you’re the one responsible for maintenance, it can be hard to figure out what your best options are. Here are some things to consider before you decide whether you should hire a certified contractor or try to do the work yourself.
There are quite a few things that need to be asked to a roofer before signing any contracts. One question you should ask is, how many nails per shingle they use. Most of the time, more than three nails is going to be required for a good job. Ask them about the procedures that they will be using. Go with another contractor if you’re not happy with their answer.
Ask for copies of the roofing company’s liability coverage before letting them work on your roof. If they are an experienced and professional company, then they should have these papers with them when they meet with you. Any company that doesn’t carry or outright refuses to provide copies of their insurance and papers detailing worker’s compensation should be avoided.
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.
What warranty does your roofer offer? Some contractors might offer better deals than others. Additionally, you should be sure you get a written copy of the warranty at the same time you receive the estimate so that you’ll have the documentation on-hand. That way, there cannot be any disagreement about the terms later on.
Never allow someone to work on your roof without then furnishing a written contract. If they do work that is subpar and you end up having issues with them, it will be hard to prove what they were contracted to do if you don’t have any paperwork. If your contractor gives you a hard time about this, it would probably be best to find someone else.
Never wash your roof with the same pressure washer you use to clean the sides of your house. The high-powered water flow can reach right up under your roofing shingles and force them off! Even if it doesn’t happen all at once, pressure washers will damage your roof, causing more problems for you than it solves.
Keep an eye on your roof’s color. If you spot streaks, this could mean that your roof is infested with algae or mold. Your roof can recover if this is addressed right away, but if you let the problem fester, your roof’s lifespan could be significantly shortened. Infestations like this can also cause leaks.
You may want to take on roofing projects yourself, or you may want to hire professionals. Either way, you need to be informed. Reading this article is the first step, as you will learn everything you need to about your roofing options. Keep these tips in mind as you take proper care of your roof.