... Tip Num 45 From 886
It is very common for the gutters on your house to become clogged, so make sure you have them cleaned on a fairly regular basis. If you allow them to stay dirty, it will give rain a chance to build up and pool on top of your roof, which increases the chances of the roof becoming damaged.
Never attempt to complete any roofing work alone. If you have an accident whilst working on your roof, you need to be sure that someone will be there to help you. This is because the long-term impact of a roofing accident injury is very often related to the time it takes to seek help after the accident occurs.
If you are doing your own roofing job, make sure to practice proper ergonomics. Roofing involves carrying tools up and down ladders onto the roof. Carry only what is comfortable for you. Bend from your knees and lift with your legs. Always be aware of how your back is bent, when actually installing the roofing materials.
If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Calling around for different quotes for your roofing job is important to ensure you get the best price. However, if a contractor is offering their services way below the average, ask yourself why. It could very well be a good deal, but it could be a scam as well.
As you prepare to get your roof replaced, remember that there are a lot of nails up there. That means that as shingles come off, nails are going to become loose and fall to the ground. Most contractors will place a tarp down to catch as many loose nails as possible. If your contractor does not do this, question them about how the nails will be found and removed from your property.
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.
As previously mentioned, if you're like most homeowners, you are not a roofing expert. But you should now have enough information about roofing to recognize common problems and know where to start in regards to making quality repairs. Don't let roof maintenance fall by the wayside; it is highly important in protecting you and your family from the unpredictability of Mother Nature.
After a thorough inspection and cleaning of the roof, it is imperative to patch and seal any problem areas. Make sure that the weather report shows nice weather, because sealing materials may take up to two days to completely cure. A sealant or other coating should be applied after the areas are cured.
When hiring a roofing contractor, be extra cautious of those who won't give you an estimate on paper before the work is started. A reputable contractor should have no problem supplying you with an estimate that details the costs involved and the work to be performed. You should look elsewhere if a contractor won't agree to supply that information.
When a storm blows through your area, beware of roofers who knock on your door. They often follow a storm and offer their services to everyone on the block, then they put up a roofing contractors cheap, inadequate roof while taking all the money your insurer will offer on your claim, ripping you off.
Make sure that any contractor you hire to fix your roof is licensed and bonded. Do not take their word for it since they may be dishonest with you. Ask them to show you proof that they are licensed, and do not hesitate to call around and make sure everything is valid.
If you are roofing yourself, make sure you always double-check any measurements you make. Regardless of how certain you are on a measurement, one small mistake could cause you to waste valuable materials, which could result in hundreds or even thousands lost. When using pricey items, such as galvanized roof flashing, this is especially important.
Find a roofing contractor that you can trust. Instead of opening up the yellow pages and picking the first roofer you see, get recommendations from friends, the Internet or from local referral services. This will help make sure your roof is good quality and the job gets done the correct way.
Never try to repair a roof in the rain or snow. Climbing onto a roof when the weather is poor could result in injury or even death. Instead, do your best to contain the leak from inside your home with tarps and buckets, and wait until the weather improves before climbing on to the roof.
When you are looking to balance both longevity and affordability, consider wood shake shingles. This type of roofing can last as long as half a century, yet the price tag is quite reasonable. You also do not have to shore up your trusses to install a roof made entirely of this material.
Don't procrastinate on replacing shingles. While your natural inclination may be to wait, the shingles aren't going to fix themselves and could deteriorate over time. Shingles should be repaired or replaced at the first sign of damage so that small problems don't become bigger ones. If you take care of your roof repairs, it will take care of you.
