Created by-Peele Burks

The roof over your head is probably one of the most important investments you will make in your lifetime. Choosing the right company, the right materials, and the right colors isn't a decision that should be taken lightly. The paragraphs below will help guide you in the right direction. Read each tip carefully and consider the impact it will have on the rest of your life.



When you are buying shingles it is very important to go with a popular brand. This is due to the availability of the shingles for future repairs. If you decide to take a cheap option and buy shingles from a company going out of business, or the last of a certain color, you will run into problems matching the shingles for repairs down the road. If you do go with the cheap option, be sure to have extra bundles for the inevitable repairs you will need.

While it may sound backwards, one of the best times to find a leak is when it's completely dry out. Keep an eye out for things like mold in corners, unusually dark ceiling tiles, and damp insulation. You can use these things to guide you to the spot the leak is coming from.

If you are seeking out a leak on your roof, use a hose to find where the problem is. If you aren't having any luck, reverse the direction of the water. If you're pouring it down the roof, try spraying it up the roof. Continue to move the water around until the leak is found.

When hiring a roofing contractor, you should make sure that he/ she has the proper equipment. If they charge you for labor by the hour, but are doing your entire roof with a hammer instead of a compressed air nailer, you will end up paying much more than you should.

When hiring a roofing contractor, checking their background references is an absolute must. When they give references, ask homeowners that they've worked for about how they felt, in terms of their quality and work value. You should check some of the addresses if you have the time. Check out the work and see what it looks like for yourself.

When looking around for roof insurance, there are some questions you need to ask a potential company. Exactly what does the insurance cost? additional reading rates ever go up? What does the insurance cover? These questions need to be asked prior to agreeing to purchase roof insurance to be sure you are getting the coverage you need.

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.

While giving a deposit to your roofer is normal, you shouldn't pay for the job itself until it's been completed. The rule of thumb is that the deposit shouldn't be more than 25% of the roofer's total estimate for the job. The roofer needs money in advance for materials, but they don't need to be paid for labor that hasn't been done.

Always inspect check here when you happen to be up on your roof, for whatever reason. They have a tendency to dry-up and crack, leaving damaged areas where the rain and snow can come in. Be prepared to remove and replace the surrounding shingles, too. Roof boots can be found at most major hardware stores.

Find out what trade associations your contractor belongs to. The top contractors join industry groups to stay informed on the latest technological advances and improvements to standard techniques. If they are not, question their level of dedication to the field.

If you are looking for a dimensional look to your roof, architectural shingles can provide this. Instead of a flat appearance, architectural shingles provide "pop" to your roof. Each shingle is layered, giving the final product a very dimensional and intriguing look. Be sure to pick a quality architectural shingle for a longer sustained roof.

Consider several roofing contractors before deciding on one. Even if you feel that you have found a great one right away, continue on your search. Make sure that there are no other roofers out there that can offer you better service at a more reasonable price than the one you originally considered.

Always wear the appropriate footwear when venturing out onto your roof. Wearing a rubber soled boot can help you to keep your grip and has been proven to limit the rate of falls experienced by roofers. If you are unsure of the type of boot that you need you should contact an outfitter that specializes in contractors.

Before deciding to completely replace your roof, ask your contractor if it can be repaired. Sometimes small leaks or minor damage can be corrected without a full replacement. Tis can save you both time and money. If the damage is more extensive, the only option might be a full roof replacement.

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.

Use the NRCA, or National Roofing Contractors Association to find a local roofing company. Visit their site and enter your address to start searching local companies. The NRCA has worksheets to help you make a decision. This worksheet includes things like years of training under a particular company, years of experience, lawsuits against the company, etc. It also confirms whether they have proper local licenses, insurance, offered warranties, and material details.

You don't always need to hire a contractor to keep your roof in decent condition. Small maintenance tasks, such as cleaning the gutters or removing the debris from valleys makes a big difference. These small jobs can save a big bundle of money because future contractors will use them to drive the fee even higher.

Your roof can possibly benefit from protective coating, even if it doesn't need any repairs. Whether you're going to do this right after you get a new roof, or if you're just going to use it on your older roof to extend its life, it's a good idea to look into this option. It is certainly less expensive than replacing the entire thing.

The roof over your head is a major part of your home, and you must treat it accordingly. This will just cause problems later on down the road. Instead, use what you learned here to make sure your roof is in good shape. Keeping yours well-maintained can save you tons of money and trouble in the long run.