Keeping A Solid Roof Over Your Head

Keeping A Solid Roof Over Your Head

by

Robert Sanders

When it comes to roofing most homeowners don\’t know much beyond whether or not its leaking. And that is a shame because a solid roof in good repair is what keeps your family and possessions safe from the elements. As a homeowner it is important that you be able to take on at least the easier aspects of roofing.

First of alll is safety. If you are working above ground level it is important to always use the proper safety equipment. No home repair is worth getting seriously injured.. Similarily, if the weather is not ideal, don\’t go out on a roof at all. Always take your time and don\’t rush anything.

Even if there are no obvious defects (like leaks) it is a good idea to check your roof at least once every three or four years. If you don\’t want to make the climb yourself, hire a qualified roofer to do the inspection for you. Most reputable roofing companies offer either free or discounted inpections services. Just remember that they make money fixing roofs so it is in their interest to find problems. Do your homework and check the company with your neighbors, better business bureau, and online resources.

If decide to do your own roof inspection you need to learn what to look for. Lose shingles or tiles are potential weak spots that should be repaired quickly. If you have even basic DIY skills you can probably do some of these basic repairs yourself without having to hire a contractor. There are some great sites online showing exactly how to do simple repairs yourself and save a ton of cash.

But, if your particular situation requires the hiring of a roofing contractor, here are a couple of things you absolutely must do.

First, make sure both you and your contractor have a complete understanding of what work is to be done. This is what the contract is for. It must set forth, in detail, the work you expect to have done for the agreed on price.

Next, insist on inspecting the contractor\’s liability insurance coverage before allowing any work to start. This protects you in case a worker gets hurt on the job. Any reputable company will carry sufficient liability insurance and will be more than glad to show their certificate to you. Do not do business with any company that either does not carry liability insurance, or refuses to show you their certificate.

For the same reason (your protection) insist that the company obtain construction permits from your local building authority. It is their responsibility to get these permits, not yours. Again, don\’t do business with any company that asks you to pull the permits, or says they will do the work without a permit. Having a building permit means that your local building authority will inspect your contractor\’s work at different stages to insure the work is being done correctly.

All this is a good start in learning to care for your roof. Fortunately, a well constructed roof will last decades with minimal attetnion. Just reparing loose shingles every now and then is usually all that will be required. But, if you do require a new roof, hire an experienced and reputable contractor to do the job.

For more tips and advice like this on how to keep you home in good shape, visit the site

Affordable Home Improvement

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com