If you are a homeowner, one of your biggest concerns is probably your roof. After all, a problem with the roof is a problem that you are going to have to deal with right away. To ensure that your roof is always in good condition, you are going to have learn a bit about roofing and luckily, the following article will teach you exactly how.
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.
Before entering a contract with a roofer, consult the Better Business Bureau. They’ll be able to tell you if complaints have been entered against this roofer in the past, and may be able to give you insight that the roofer’s own references won’t. The integrity of your roof is important, and you don’t want to get scammed.
If someone comes to your door and offers you a free roof, question their motives. Don’t let them up onto your roof – instead, call your insurance agency and ask them to inspect the roof. Until the insurer says you need, and will be covered for, a new roof, don’t sign anything.
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.
When it rains, check your attic for leaks. Not every leak will make it down to your ceilings, so there is no harm in heading upstairs to check out what is going on. If you do this a few times per year, you can stave off massive repair bills for unnoticed problems.
See if your roofer offers a warranty. Even if you’re working with an excellent contractor, mistakes can happen, and you want to be sure you’re covered. Typically, most roofers offer warranties for roof replacements, but not the cost of replacements. See what’s available, consider it when you’re deciding who you should work with.
Make sure any roofer that you hire has the licensing necessary to do the work. If you’re unsure of what that is exactly, don’t just assume everything is okay because the contractors says it is. Look up your local building department and call to ask what paperwork is needed.
Maintaining your roof is not all that fun, yet it is something that you can’t avoid if you want to keep your home in good shape. Use the advice mentioned in the article above to take care of your roofing needs so that you can save both time and money. Your efforts will be well worth it in the long run.