With regards to home maintenance, it is important to remember your roof. Your roof is your home’s best source of protection from outside elements. Use the tips that follow to make sure your roof is in the best shape that it can be.
When you’re planning on installing a new roof, choosing a material mainly comes down to how long you plan on staying in the home. If you plan on selling the house soon, material that lasts 20 years may be appropriate. If you plan keeping the house and living in it long term, you’ll save money in the long run by choosing materials that last 40 years or longer.
When there is a crack in a shingle, you must replace it. In fact, any cracking usually means that you’ll have to replace all of the shingles as they’re likely to start cracking too. Whether it be from inferior materials or improperly installed shingles, you’ll save yourself many problems by getting it all replaced.
You should have certain expectations of your roofer. For example, any shingles that fall down to the ground should be picked up and hauled off your property. In addition, the roofer should pick up the majority of the nails that fall down as well, although it is likely that a few may be missed. In general, your yard should be clean and picked up after the work is completed.
Some of the new types of roofing materials are steel panels, slate tiles and shingles formed from composite materials. These roofing choices range from average price to very expensive, and the most expensive ones can last the lifetime of the house. Consider how long you will own your home when choosing your roofing material.
Don’t choose a roofing company based on only the price. Price isn’t a reliable indicator of what company is best for your roofing needs. There are times when you might be offered some rebates and discounts that could lower the price. Try taking the time to make calls, read over contracts and written estimates, and ask questions that you have before making your final decision.
Make sure a contractor gives you proof of insurance and a license. Anyone who is unable to provide this information should be shown the door. The reason is that if they do a poor job in their workmanship, it could cause thousands of dollars of damages to your home, and you will be left with no recourse.
Keep an eye on your roof’s color. If you spot streaks, this could mean that your roof is infested with algae or mold. Your roof can recover if this is addressed right away, but if you let the problem fester, your roof’s lifespan could be significantly shortened. Infestations like this can also cause leaks.
The importance of roof maintenance cannot be stressed enough. Put the advice in this article into practice so that your roof will remain in good condition. A little effort now will keep away any large problems in the future.