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When it comes to your own roof, chances are you don't know too much about how to maintain it properly. However, investing some time and energy into performing annual roof inspections and other common roofing procedures can save you from a lot of future troubles. Read on and learn what steps you need to take in order to take care of your roofing needs.

Always be safe when you're up on your roof. If you don't know what you're doing, don't go up there! Wear the right safety gear and don't do anything that puts your body at risk. Remember to bring along the right tools for the job as well to ensure you do the work right.

Never work on your roof by yourself. You should always have someone else present, even if it is solely for the purpose of having someone that can call emergency services if you fall. Falling from the roof can be a disaster, but not having someone to help you is even worse.

Once you've narrowed down your list of potential contractors, be sure to inquire about the provided warranties of each company. You need a warranty of at least three years, preferably five. This will cover you in the event of poor work.

Carefully check the written estimate that you are given by a professional roofer. Make sure to document when your project starts, the estimation of when it's to be completed, and what payments are made. Avoid paying in full up front. Make sure the warranty is clear and that you understand what voids it.




Do you love the look of wood shingles but not the fire hazard? You can now purchase roofing material that presents the look of wood shingles, but is made of steel or composite materials instead. The steel roofing is pre-formed with the appearance of shingles, but is actually large panels.

You should never hire the first roofing company to help you out that you see. You never know if there's going to be a better deal out there unless you shop around. Even if you end up going with the first company you looked at, it's always good to have an idea of what competitors are charging.

Your roof's age can indicate if it needs replacing. Most roofs have a lifespan of around 20 years. Some homes have been fitted with a new roof right on top of the old one; if you're in this situation it may be time to tear both off and start fresh.

Get multiple quotes from multiple roofing companies. Not all companies are the same. You could see a company with huge ads in the Yellow Pages, but that doesn't guarantee the quality of their work. Obtain multiple quotes from various roofing companies and compare their details to each other. Try only getting bids from licensed contractors since some states don't require licenses for roofing contractors.

Don't let a contractor do work for you if they don't act professional in every area. For instance, a roofer's quote should be printed out, not scrawled out on scrap paper, and should have a clear layout. The whole process should go professionally so you can be sure that they're going to work on your roof that way as well.

To protect the integrity of your roof, clean the gutters regularly. Many roof problems, such as leaking, are caused by back-ups in the gutter system. Having a clogged gutter means that rain and snow cannot adequately drain and that puts an extra burden on your roofing materials. Buy tools to make cleaning the gutters faster and easier on you.

If your roof is leaking, you first need to climb up onto your home's attic. Use a flashlight to search along your ceiling rafters to check for watermarks. Watermarks will show you the location of the leak. Keep in mind that the area you need to repair will be approximately two or three feet above the watermark. Once you find the source of the problem, check your roof decking for damage. If it has been severely damaged, you need to call a professional. Otherwise, you should be able to fix the leaky roof yourself.

Many roofing companies will try to target homeowners following a storm. If you are contacted, first research to see if you can find out how big the hail was. Normally, https://www.lohud.com/story/money/real-estate/homes/2014/08/01/ask-angie-roof-tips/13463745/ has to be more than an inch in diameter to really harm your roof. If the hail was smaller than that, you probably do not need repairs.

There is no doubt that getting on your roof can prove dangerous. Most roofs are not designed to accommodate humans, so it is important that you do your best to stay safe. To help you prevent slipping, wear rubber-sole shoes. You should also try to strap on a harness if you have one. Finally, you should always enlist the help of a loved one.

Shingles can get damaged from time to time and it is important to fix or replace them when that happens. If a shingle can not be repaired, it should be replaced. Simply place just click the following web page under the shingle that sits above the one that is damaged. This can loosen the nails. Then, you can pull out the nail and take off the ruined shingle.

When a roofing contractor has finished working on your roof, make sure to get a lien waiver. This document will let you know that your contractor has settled any and all debts with the manufacturer for any and all materials used. This will keep you from getting any surprises later on.

Ask your contractor how long he has been in business. Although a contractor with only one or two years' experience may be excellent in what he does, it is better to be safe and select someone with a minimum of five years' experience. Keep in mind that extra work experience does not always equal better work, but for the most part, this is the case.

Before you hire a roofer, ask whether he will be using a subcontractor to complete some of the work. If so, request the same types of documentation as you would for the roofer. Ask for the subcontractor's references, workers' comp insurance and proof of liability coverage. It is not enough for just the roofing company to have these items.

If you need to do work on your roof, don't do it alone. Climbing on a roof can be dangerous, and you'll be much safer if you have another person there to assist you. If the worst happens and you have an accident, you want to make sure someone can get you help immediately.

With any luck, you now understand just how important roofing is. Having read the article above, your knowledge on the subject has probably expanded greatly. Make sure to use the advice mentioned so that your roof is always in tip-top shape. A happy roof ensures a happy home for you and your family.