Roofing might be a problem for someone who owns a home, especially when there is poor insulation or leaks. If you enjoy working on home improvement projects, you should try learning more about roofing so you can perform repairs yourself. These tips can guide you in installing your roof yourself or hiring a reputable contractor.
Check out your roof yearly. Your roof is most likely to incur damage during winter and spring. Because of this, you must pay special attention during these months.
Avoid fixing your roof when things are icy, snowing or raining. This could cause injury and roofs are difficult to replace while moist. If you want to handle roofing projects on your own, make sure to do the work when the weather is dry.
When your roof leaks during a rainy spell, note the place where water is coming in. When dry conditions return, go up on the roof, find the damaged spot, and repair it. Don’t jeopardize your safety by going up on a wet roof. You will need good, dry conditions to find the damage and repair it properly. When it’s dry, you can fix it safely.
You need to consider the climate when choosing a roof type. Clay roofs do well in dry climates, and they help keep the house cool. However, these do not survive well in wet climates and will have a short lifespan. If you’re not sure, ask.
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. Be sure and inspect your entire roof to ensure that you don’t have a more widespread problem or additional leaks in other areas.
Rubber Boots
Never work on your roof if the weather outside is rainy, snowy or icy. When the roof is wet or slippery, you could end up falling, causing major injury and even death. The best time for do-it-yourself roof work is on warm, sunny days.
Rubber boots are an important part of any roof repair. Even if the weather is dry you don’t want to take any chances of slipping off the roof. Being on the roof will put your body in very awkward stances. This makes it easy to slip and fall; therefore, you should ensure you are protected by wearing rubber boots.
If you’re having a contractor remove your roof, mow your lawn first. That way, you are more likely to be able to locate fallen nails. If he has a magnetic tool for finding nails, it will work best with the short grass.
Check for liability insurance with the roofing company you choose. If they have this kind of insurance, it is a good bet they are reliable. This will also help you if something were to go wrong with the project, because it will be paid for by the insurance.
When a leak is getting fixed, you have to be sure that the job is done correctly the first time. If you find one bad spot, there could be more, so keep looking for them. Look over all of your roof; there may be more problem areas than you first suspected.
If you’ve already tried to get someone to come out to fix your roof but they won’t be there for a while, then you should do what you can to fix the leak temporarily. You could purchase heavy grade plastic and put it over the leaking area and fasten with nails. Though this technique may not be most effective, it does the job for now.
Never pay in full before the job is complete. Pay a percentage of the fee in the beginning and then when the work is done. But paying the whole amount up front can cause the roofer to do less than they agreed to, or poor work.
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. Look up the building department in your area and give them a call to see what is needed.
Make sure that your roofer has liability insurance. Reliable roofers have this kind of insurance. This insurance will also cover costs in the event of an accident.
Look at all of your roofing materials before you put up new shingles. A lot of leaks come from installation, due to nails that aren’t the proper size, or shingles that are cracked. Check these materials before you do anything so that you can make sure your roof will be structurally sound.
Rather than getting a pro, you might even learn to do some minor work on the roof yourself. If you learn what options are available to you, you’ll make smarter decisions. Keep these tips in mind to help you get your roofing job done properly the first time.