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Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor and What to Expect

Getting a new roof is a very important improvement on a home. The new roof is an investment and will up the value to your home. What should you expect when you search for a roofing contractor that will be on your roofing ripping old shingles off and applying new shingles? Not all contractors have the same ethics nor do they have the same policy. Be careful when you choose a roofing company, you will need one that guarantees a nice clean job and gives you a labor warranty. Three key items to look for while you search for a roofing contractor is: the roofers guarantee on garbage and cleaning the area, the roofers warranty on the new roof, and the roofers experience/referrals.

First, let’s talk about the roofers guarantee. Roofing contractors might say they clean up after themselves, but that could just mean they clean up their pop can and throw away their lunch garbage. You want to make sure you find in writing that they clean up the nails, excess shingle garbage, and other debris that may have fallen off of your roof while they wreak havoc on your roof. The last thing you want is your baby who just started walking to have a small nail prick through their foot. They probably will regress and never want to walk on grass again.

Second, the roofers warranty on the new roof is an extremely important topic when it comes to choosing a roofing contractor. When you look for a warranty you want to make sure the company backs it up. You want to make sure you know what you are receiving if the service goes bad or something happens. You will want to make sure that you choose a roofing company that states they have at least a labor warranty on the new roof. That would mean if the new roof falls apart before a certain time, the roofing contractors will come back out and do it over for free. Sometimes they will make you pay for material if it’s just on labor. Sometimes they will cover it all. It all depends on the roofing contractor.

Last, the roofers experience level and their list of referrals can be extremely important to any smart home owner looking for the best roofing experience they can get. You do not want to get a roofing contractor that says they are super great, but has no referrals. Referrals are great ammunition when it comes to roofing contractors and their competition. Experience for roofers whether they say their workers have 30+ years’ experience or the company is over 30 years old. Either or would be a great choice. If they were in business for that long you know they do a great job.

In conclusion, the three key items to look for while you search for the perfect roofing contractor are the roofing contractors guarantee on cleaning debris afterwards, the warranty that the company backs up, and the experience the company has. These three items together make the holy trinity of the best roofing improvement experience a home owner can have.

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Know the Services That a Roofing Contractor Provides

Roofing Contractors play an important role in providing roofing solutions for homeowners and commercial building owners. Some homeowners try to repair their homes themselves by looking into the videos, instructions or other mediums from the internet. But when it comes to roof replacement, attic insulation and roof repairs, it is important that you hire an experienced roofing professionals.

No instructions and videos can match their regular experience that they gain from practice and daily roofing works. Roofing is more complex than it initially seems to be, missing a small point can lead to tremendous problems later. An experienced roofer knows where the root of the problems lies, what caused the leak or damage.

Besides a professional roofing company will be insured and licensed. Roofs that are newly installed by a roofing company will be certainly licensed and insured. New roofs installed by professional roofing companies come with warranties. Being certified means they have years of experience and training with leading roofing manufacturers.

Most people think that if they repair their own home, then they can give their best. But repairing a home yourself is a big job, and a professional roofing crew can finish their work in two or more days, but a Do IT Yourself job may take longer to complete. Roofing Contractors repair your roof in a more convenient, and systematic way.

Here are the services that a roofing contractor provides:

Roof Replacement: If you notice curling, cracked, missing or loose shingles, then your house is in need of roof replacement. Roofing Contractors have experience in roof replacement services for asphalt shingle roofing systems and cedar shake.

Their wide range of products gives you convenience to find the perfect materials that suits your taste and personal preferences. In case, your existing shingle roof is more than 20 years, then chances are that you probably need a new roof.

The other cases of roof repair are when you notice problems in the following areas. Shingles curling and buckling, missing shingles, chimney flashing, and roof valleys. As, they occupy very important place of the house, disturbances in these areas calls for a roof replacement.

Attic Air Sealing: Air sealing or weatherizing can help you save a large amount of money as the maximum of the heat is lost from your home due to the climate. Weatherizing prevents future damage by restricting the flow of air from inside your home into the attic.

The common areas for inspecting leaks or plumbing stacks, electrical wiring in-filtration, cathedral ceilings that are attached to the attic. Attic doors and above pocket doors are also one of the common place where leaks occur.

Attic Ventilation: Attic ventilation facilitates air exchange, which means every time stale, overheated air in your home or attic is vented out, fresh air is pulled in to replace it. So, it is very important for your home. Proper attic ventilation can be helpful in saving electric bills, and maintain the temperature of your house. Proper air passage is essential for health of the people dwelling in the house.

Attic Insulation: Improper Attic Insulation or ventilation can cause mold and ice dam formation. Hot air gets trapped inside the attic when there is inadequate insulation. In turn, this causes mold to grow in the attic. Attic insulation is another service that the roofing contractor provides.

Installation/Repair of Roof Skylights: Roof Skylights provide natural lighting to your home. In case your roof skylights are leaking then you must hire a roof contractor to repair it.

The skylight is important for your house as it controls energy bills, provides optimal daylight, saves money, it is a passive air conditioner. Also, it adds life to small spaces, and increases the beauty of your house. Installing and repairing of Roof Skylights needs an experienced roofing contractor.

Spray Foam Insulation: This is a great option to make your home efficient by creating a seamless monolithic air barrier. The air barrier acts as the ultimate protector and allows you to maintain a consistent and comfortable temperature throughout your home. Through Spray foam you can save your electricity bill.

The works of a roofing contractor is not only to provide the above mentioned services, there are numerous other services that a roof services provider gives. They are experienced persons who know every detail about your house.

Experience has made them the best, as they work daily on top of roofs, repairing shingles, adding vents, and making the home perfect for you to stay.

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How to Determine the Roofing Cost of Your House

There are many factors to be considered when determining the roofing cost for your home. You can either try to seek the help of roofing professionals to get you an estimate of how much you might be spending or if you know most of the details such as the size and materials, you can try using a roofing calculator that is available online.

1. The size of your roof is the biggest factor as this would determine how much materials you need and how long it would take for the job to complete.

This is also why precise measurements should be obtained to avoid underestimating the cost especially if you are working on a budget. The cost will be calculated per roofing square (1 roofing square = 100 square feet). Consequently, the larger the size of your roof is, the more you would have to spend for it.

2. Aside from its size, its complexity and pitch or steepness will also be considered.

The more complex and the steeper it is the more effort it would require for the roofing workers to work on it. Additional equipment would sometimes be required to do the job to ensure that safety of the workers and that the roofing job is properly done.

3. The type of materials needed would also play a big part. Choosing the materials would also depend on the design of the roof. Steeper ones won’t be able to handle heavy shingles such as clay and asphalt. It is best to consult a roofing expert as to what is the best type to use.

You would also need to the durability of the material and your location. Materials that last up to about 50 years (such as metal shingles) are more costly than the ones that would only last 20 to 30 years.

There is also the underlayment which is also an important part of the roofing system. It is the layer under the roof covering which adds more protection and stability to the roofing deck, also helping and adding in the sustainability of the roof. You have options such as organic or synthetic felt of which the cost would also depend on the type.

4. You should also consider your geographical location and surrounding environment when choosing the materials. Roof damage can easily occur if the materials are not sturdy enough to withstand frequent weather changes.

5. How the roof will be installed also has its own cost. If you are replacing an old roof, the labor for taking out the old roof layers or if there are any damages such as water damage (as sometimes this would cause replacement instead of just repair), would also be included in the cost estimate. The same goes if you would like other additions to your roof such as solar panels because they would need to function and blend with the structure of the roof.

6. There are also the permits needed and warranties. Depending on where you live, you need to check what are the permits that you need to get for the roofing job. As for the warranties, the labor warranty is usually not included in the initial quotation but your contractor may offer it to you. It is still your discretion whether you would choose to get it or not. Read the fine print, understand the conditions of the warranty so you could make an informed decision.

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5 Ways to Extend the Life of Your House Roofing

Who doesn’t want to have a house roofing that lasts forever? We all want to, but reality tells us that roofs have expiry date. They expire through time. Gradually, they weaken and will call for replacement. However, you can extend the life of your house roofing for a little while by conducting regular maintenance.

Maintenance is done by checking the strengths and weaknesses of your roof every now and then. The roof inspectors and maintenance experts will solve any issues they see and will advice proper prevention techniques whenever necessary.

To get you started, here are some maintenance tips to extend the life of your house roofing through the help of professional roofers.

Repair Leaks or Damages Right Away

One of the best tips to lengthen the life expectancy of any roofing structure is to take care of any damage or leaks soon as you notice them. Don’t neglect even the smallest problems, which can only make things worse. If you are in a hurry, then you can take note of the issue you saw and get back to it later on or call your roofing experts for advice.

Most homeowners feel nervous about the cost of roof replacement and may assume that they can live with some leaks here and there to save money. What they don’t know is that they can save more money if they call in the help of professionals at the soonest time possible who can fix tiny problems before they get bigger. Don’t wait for the problem to get bigger. Move, take action as soon as you see them.

Prevention of Mildew, Moss and Mold Growth

Anything which grows on your roof can possibly break down the materials and lead to serious damages in time. Professional roofing contractors can address this issue using the right solutions. They can remove the moss and other mold growth on your roof and prevent them from coming back.

Keep the Gutters and Roof Free from Debris

Whether your gutters have a buildup of fallen leaves or a large branch that broke off from the nearby tree, it is a must to clear any clutter off on a regular basis. A large branch will not only scrape and damage the shingles but clogged gutters can also create a water backflow which can cause rot or damaging ice beneath the shingles and even into your home. So it is always best to clean your roofs regularly.

Search for Signs of Insect or Animal Damage

Another important thing to look out for when you are in your attic is for any sign of insect damage or animal activity. You might not be aware that mice, raccoons and squirrels have found their way to your attic for shelter and warmth. Of course, you can always find insects everywhere and can cause as much damage in time. Search for droppings, spots where wood is chewed, burrow holes or any other kind of holes.

Check around Skylights, Utilities and Chimneys

Any spot in your home where the roof has been interrupted by a skylight, pipe, chimney or other items must be inspected carefully and regularly for signs of damage. Check the crawlspace or attic below the roof and search for signs of mold or water coming into the house. Rusted nails and discolored boards could indicate some form of leak.

Just a simple word of reminder: before you try any of these roof maintenance tips, ensure that everything is perfectly secure and safe. Better, ask assistance from the roofing experts in your locality. Ask recommendations from your friends so you can choose the best.

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