When your roof is doing its job, your home is kept safe from the intrusion of wind and water. When you’ve got a roof problem, the forces of nature can cause havoc with a whole host of other parts of your home. Being knowledgeable on proper roof care can help you save time and money. Read the roofing advice below to prepare yourself.
Wear rubber boots when you climb onto your roof. Wear your boots even if the weather is clear. Doing repair work up on the roof can be tricky and dangerous because of the awkward footing, so take safety precautions.
When you have a contractor coming to do major roof work, give your lawn a close trim. This will make the process of finding nails that fall to the ground much easier for your contractor and for you. If your contractor brings a magnetic nail finder, short grass will also help this tool work more efficiently.
If you need a roofing contractor, reach out to family and friends to find out if they have any suggestions or experience to offer. They will be able to tell you honestly about their experience with the contractor. Inquire about how well the yard was cleaned up and what type of guarantee they received as well.
If your roofer is a few days away from attending at your home, there are temporary repairs you can undertake. You can nail heavy plastic to damaged areas. This method is not the best way to address a leak, but it will buy you time while you wait.
You should avoid going up on the roof yourself and looking for any damage. If you think there are problems, hire a professional to do an inspection. Walking on a damaged roof can spell trouble.
Proper insurance is an absolute must-have. If you work with an uninsured contractor and something is damaged, you’ll be the one responsible for the cost. Don’t just speak with the person doing the job to see if they have the insurance, get documentation that they do and go over it carefully.
Check your roofing materials thoroughly before installation. Many leaks stem from improper installation, including cracked shingles, and nails that are the wrong length. Make sure the shingles are strong and free from cracks and that the nails you use will penetrate the shingles and secure them onto the structure.
If you are unable to find where your roof is leaking, try not to become discouraged. It’s only a matter of time before you find it through the process of elimination and using a water hose may help in combination with a buddy-system. If your home is large, communicate with cell phones to prevent unnecessary large amounts of water from getting into your home.
Any homeowner that has had to have a roof fixed or replaced can inform you of how nightmarish it is to handle poor maintenance issues. Using the tips above, you can save yourself a lot of trouble. Use the information you have when appropriate, and you can be confident about how safe your roof is.