Which part of your house needs the most care? Indeed, the roof is the most crucial part of your home that you must take care very well for the simple reason that it is the single most valuable investment of your house. Moreover, roof repairs can be costly, and if it comes to replacing roofs, the cost is just too much. Entrusting a professional company that specializes in roof construction and repairs is the best option to ensure that your roof is in safe hands. The roof expert will inspect the roof once a year and even help in preventive maintenance so that you can enjoy its full life and the return on investment (ROI) makes you happy.
You are likely to face problems with the roof which is natural due to wear and tear, but early detection of the issues can minimize the extent and cost of repairs. The money you spend on roof maintenance gets wholly justified regarding extended roof life. By interacting with Chandler roofing contractors, you can learn about various aspects of roof maintenance that helps you to judge the roof inspection report in its right perspective. You would know about what kinds of damages might happen to roofs and understand its cause that helps to assess its severity. The learning should help to decide whether minor repairs would do or roof replacement is the only option. How much you can achieve would depend on selecting the right roofing contractor, which is a difficulttask for those not familiar with the subject.
In this article, you would learn about the lifespan of roofs, signs of roof damage, and what you should look forin a roofing contractor on whom you can rely upon.
Roofs deteriorate with age
Every roofing material has a designated lifespan that you should know during its selection. Naturally, as age progresses, the roof starts declining, and the maximum damage happens from poor maintenance. Roofs made from clay tiles, slate or concrete, have the longest life of 50 years, but it all depends on how well you maintain it. Wood shingles roofs last for 25 years and 15-20 years could be the lasting time for asphalt shingles roof.
Leak detection needs trained eyes
Leaking roofs is the most common type of roof damage, but the problem is that it is not always easy to detect cracks and leaks on roofs. Only persons trained in roof inspection canidentify the early signs of damage and advice repairs before the roof starts leaking. If cracks are few and faint and not so big, repairing should not be a problem, but if you see cracks through which light passes, it is the end of life of the roof and replacing it is the only solution. If there are no visible leaks but still water sips into the adjoining walls, the situation is ideal for laying a new roof.
Keep a close watch on shingles
While annual inspection might be suitable for concrete or metal roof, the frequency of review for shingles roof should be at least twice a year. The number may increase depending on the roof condition and the environment. Missing, broken, and discolored shingles indicate that the roof is aging and shingles need replacement.
Dented roof
If you observe that there are dents on the roof surface, it shows that water has penetrated beneath the surface and likely damaged the inner layers. Consult a roof expert to evaluate the extent of damage and suggest whether repairs or replacement would be right to address the issue.
Despite understanding the damages, you have to depend on the recommendation of a roofing contractor to suggest the best ways of retaining the roof. Follow the steps mentioned below to choose the right roofing contractor by judging his / her capabilities in handling the project.
Is the contractor established and authentic?
How long the contractor is in business indicates the reliability to some extent because had it not been reliable, the business would not have survived long. When you deal with an established contractor, you can go back to them for any problems in the future. An established contractor would be eager to build trust and goodwill and have a permanent business address with phone and email that you should verify for correctness. The longer the contractor is in business; more is the experience, and better would be the quality of work.
License and insurance
An authentic roofing contractor should possess a license for carrying out business, and you must check that the person you select has the correct and valid license. Every state has its licensing requirements, and the contractor must possess the right type of license. Having a license indicates that the contractor is duly qualified and you can check the credentials with the building department.
A licensed contractor should have proper insurance coverage for both general liability insurance and workers compensation. In the absence of adequate insurance cover, any liability arising from the project will pass on to you, and you have to bear the expenses for it. Check the insurance certificates to ensure that those are current.
Membership of professional associations
A professional and established roofing contractor should be a member of some professional associations at local, state, or national level that demonstrates the urgeof the contractor to prove his or her mettle in the right forum. The membership is a matter of pride that shows a professional approach in business, and it helps the contractor to stay tuned with the current best practices of the industry. The contractor would be able to use the best technology and techniques of roof repair that spells quality at affordable cost.
Ask the contractor for a list of customers whom you might consult to know about their experience of working with the contractor. You will also come to understand how much knowledge and expertise they have about the kind of repair you want them to do. Finally, check if the contractor adheres to the laid down safety procedures of the industry and has a written safety program in place.
August 16, 2018