Top Roofing Tips
Think Safety First
Fussing to try and find a leak as soon as it happens is something that could put you in the hospital. Meddling on a roof while it’s raining or covered with ice and snow isn’t the ideal way to find a leak. Trying to temporarily fix a leak could be highly dangerous. If you want to do it right, there is no quick-fix. Just take your time, and be very patient and careful to wait for Mother Nature to give you the green light.
Take Precautions
Being on a roof will put the body in positions that are not comfortable or safe. Make sure to wear rubber sole shoes to prevent slipping. Also use a harness and always work with a buddy.
Spray the Roof
Take a garden hose and go up to the roof and start spraying in different locations to find the leak. Wait if it’s wintertime because it’s not safe to run water on the roof when it’s freezing out.
Keep Gutters Clean
One of the most common areas and causes for roof leaks are clogged gutters. Gutters that have not been cleaned can cause the water to build up during rain.
Avoid Dry Rot
Dry rot isn’t related to any type of water damage, but lack of ventilation. If a roof repair is right in the middle of the roof, there is a chance that the plywood might be deteriorating. The roof will actually sag in and cause the roof shingles to get brittle, crack and then leak. Preventing dry rot consists of installing a ridge vent, which will only work if there is a soffit vent. Holes have to be drilled through the soffit vents so cool air comes in through the bottom and pushes the hot air out through the top.
Roofing: Replacement or Repairs?
As an Portland homeowner, you may not look forward to regular roof maintenance, but if you want your roof to live up to its full potential, hiring a roofing contractor for a roof inspection is a wise decision. Homeowners should have their roofs inspected at least once a year, and severe weather may necessitate more inspections because rain, hale, snow, and wind can damage roof shingles and tiles, cause premature aging, and create leaks. Roof inspections allow a professional to examine your roof for complications that may otherwise go unnoticed.
What Does a Roof Inspection Entail?
A roof inspection with your roofing contractor will include many examinations and an overall assessment of your roof. The inspector will search for weather damage, granular loss, debris, cracks, ponding, blisters, water staining, deformations, leaks, and corrosion. The inspector will also check the state of your skylights, chimney, and gutters.
How Does a Roof Inspection Prevent Roof Problems?
If you haven’t experienced any problems regarding your roof, you may just not be aware of current damage and the complications that will surely follow. Roof inspectors are trained to look for signs of damage, so they are able to find areas of concern that you may not spot. Your roofing contractor may notice improper ventilation, shingle granules in rain gutters, missing or loose shingles, and sagging near ridges or between rafters. Gaps in the flashing, pools of water, and leaks may also be present on your roof. All of these problems may appear minor at first, but they can result in severe damage that compromises the integrity of your roof and leaves it susceptible to pests, mold and mildew, and collapse.
Think of roof inspections as an investment in your home because your property value is likely to increase when your roof is in good condition. You will also avoid expensive repairs by hiring a roof inspector to examine your roof regularly. When the time comes to check your roof for damage, contact RJ Ramos Roofing, a reputable Portland roofing contractor.
Tips to Help Homeowners Choose the Right Roofing Contractor
The biggest obstacle homeowners face when looking to fix or replace their roof is choosing the right person to do the job. After a damaging storm, they need to quickly get back to normal and perform the necessary roofing repairs. But that doesn’t mean they should just choose the first contractor who knocks on their door. Finding a contractor who is trustworthy, honest, and professional may sound difficult – but that’s where you come in. Contractors should share these 10 important tips with homeowners to show them that your company is reputable and can be trusted to protect their home and their wallet.
Get local referrals. There is less chance of potential issues or scams when you choose a contractor from your community. They are more familiar with local rules and code regulations and have a relationship with area crews and suppliers.
Look for manufacturer designations. Manufacturer designations are considered a badge of honor because the contractor must pass certain minimum requirements to be factory-certified (although, some manufacturers have more stringent requirements than others). GAF strictly enforces their top designation by only allowing 2% of roofing contractors per market to be recognized as profesional. (Unlike other manufacturer designations, profesional cannot use this top designation in another territory, only in the location of the storm.
Research Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings. Some contractors blow in (no pun intended) right after a storm looking for work, so it’s important to look them up on the BBB website and make sure they have a good score. Stay away from contractors who do not exist on BBB.org. GAF profesional are required to maintain satisfactory ratings with the BBB in order to retain their certification.
Get an extensive warranty. Not all contractors can offer manufacturer warranties that include coverage of the contractor’s workmanship. If a contractor installs the roof incorrectly, it may take months or years for the damage to show up—and insurance won’t pay for it. If the contractor won’t fix it (or worse, has gone out of business), your only recourse is to pay for their mistake yourself. A profesional can offer one of the longest workmanship warranties on the market.
Roofing Tips That Can Help You Out
There is a ton to know about roofing. All of this can be overwhelming, and that’s why it’s so important to have lots of good advice in one easy to read place.There are a lot of great roofing tips in the article below.
Make sure that your roofer you choose has liability insurance. The main thing that this will show you about a policy bodes well for a contractor’s reliability.Secondly, should something happen to your roof as they are working on it, their insurance company would cover the costs.
Don’t use short-term solutions for short periods of time when dealing with roof repairs. It may seem cost effective at the time, but in the end, and that may cost you more. The best thing to do is to completely fix the problem as quickly as possible to prevent things from getting worse.
When you have your contractors narrowed down, check with each with regard to their warranties. You want a warranty that lasts for at least 3-5 years. It must cover workmanship and defective supplies, plus they should give you copies of all manufacturer warranties as well.
Residential Roof Repairs
Make sure any roofer you employ has the licensing necessary to do the job. Do not simply believe that he is legitimate based off what is required.Contact your local building department and see what is needed.
Make sure a roofing contractor has current, and make sure thy are current.Just about every locale requires roofers to be licensed, so be sure they have a valid and current license.
A good team can achieve good results more quickly.
Only hire a roofing contractor for roof repairs Dublin that is able to supply you with proof of current insurance and insurance.
Ask contractors about their memberships in industry associations. The good contractors join industry groups to stay informed on the latest technological advances and improvements to standard techniques. If your roofer is not, question their level of dedication to the field.
It’s very important to catch damage to the shingles are replaced as soon as possible. Look over your roof, but do so safely.
Tips To Maintain Your Roof
Proper roof maintenance requires regular inspections. Seasonal or yearly checkups will lengthen the life of your roofing materials, preventing leaks that lead to damage, costly repairs, and — horrors! — the necessity for a complete roof replacement.
We decided to put together a quick list of roof maintenance tips that will alert you to any problems and help extend the life of your roof.
Roofs are designed to weather (literally) all kinds of storms, but there is going to be some wear and tear. So be sure your roof is ready for the next big storm by following these helpful tips on roof protection.
If you have any questions about roofing repair, damaged shingles, roofing home improvements, or your roof system in general, please call Pacific West Roofing. We’re happy to guide you through the best solutions for you and your home.
Inspect Your Shingles
Do yearly checks on your roof shingles — especially after the wild weather months. But remember: It’s not just wind and wet that can damage your roof. Ultraviolet light from the sun’s rays can also wreak havoc over time. So be sure to examine your shingles as a regular part of your roof inspections to ensure they’re still installed properly and functioning as they should.
Trim Branches
If you have trees with overhanging branches, have them trimmed before the winter sets in. Heavy snow, wind, ice and other natural phenomena can whip branches around or pull them from the tree completely, causing damage to the root and the structures on top of it.
Unclog Gutters
Many of us are familiar with the problems associated with clogged gutters, which can include bubbling wall paint and rotting wood. But clogged gutters can overflow with so many leaves, bugs, and debris that the rain washes up instead of down. Over time, the water can damage the roof and the support beams that hold it aloft. You can imagine the kind of problems that will cause: the expensive kind. Clean your gutters and clean outs heading into the spring and fall seasons.