As you probably know, the roof is the first line of defense and a central factor in keeping your home safe and dry at all times. A damaged roof can cause you serious problems in your home and outside it. This is the reason why you will need an immediate reaction and intervention the moment you notice something is off with your roof. It is a fact that roof replacement is an extremely expensive home project you can possibly undertake. That is why you need to take special care of your roof maintenance before it is too late. This is the reason why you must consider the following factors before you make any final decision.
Does Removing Your Roof Even Make Sense?
While repairing your roof is a much easier and cheaper option, sometimes, installing a new roof over the old roofing system is a much cheaper solution, but it can lead to some even more serious problems. Especially if all of these problems are hidden underneath the old structure. So, it is not a good thing to install a new roof over the old one. This is not advisable or a wise thing to do.
Qualified Roofing Contractor
Not doing your homework when it comes to roofing contractors may cost you more money than you could even imagine. Skimping on the quality of the roofing contracts can cost you more money along the way. So, you should always prioritize quality over any other factor. You need to check everything about your contractor, including insurance, qualifications, licenses, and positive references from previous clients.
Keep It Local
Just as with any other industry, you need to be careful when it comes to choosing the company that will undertake this project. Specifically, roofing companies’ fly-ins start once a heavy storm or some other type of severe weather condition kicks into your town. Suddenly, you will feel invaded by different contractors who are fighting for your money. People who are desperate to get their lives together give in and hire non-local contractors. This is not the smartest option since if problems arise after they leave town, you may be left high and dry without an answer. Instead, try to hire local constructors. So, if you live in Vancouver, you should hire a roofing company in Vancouver, WA, and be on the safe side. This way, you will have more time to check up on how legitimate they are and have an insight into their portfolio and previous projects.
Certified Roofing Installers
Many homeowners do not understand that the roofing structure and the warranty of the new roofing structure highly depend on who installs it. In the majority of cases, manufacturers will not honor the roofing system warranty in the event that the roofing is installed by a roofing contractor not certified by them. So, you need to hire manufacturers with certified roofing installers. Typically, a roofing warranty includes the roof replacement as well as products, parts, labor, length of time, etc.
Roof Replacement Permits
A great number of municipalities and local townships demand permits for roof replacements. To be sure about this, it would be smart to check with your contractor and see if they will obtain all the necessary permits and if these are included in the prices. On the other hand, if the permits are not included in the price, you should obtain more information on the additional costs.
Consider Ventilation
Properly installed ventilation will prolong the lifetime of your roof. You need to talk to your roofing contractor and see what type of venting is included in the estimate. In addition, you must discuss with them if the ventilation that will lower the attic temperatures as well as reduce moisture build-up during the winter months is sufficient for your roof.
Rethink the Roofing Material
There is a whole variety of different roofing materials you can choose from. Asphalt shingles, wooden shakes, slates, clay tiles, and metal are just some of the options. Normally, your first priority should be quality. However, you need to make sure that the option you choose suits your preferences, home aesthetics, and budget. When it comes to the most practical option, asphalt shingles tend to be the best choice. Asphalt shingles are affordable, easy to install, and come in many different colors and styles.
Be Careful When Scheduling Your Roof Replacement
Replacing your roof is not an easy thing to do, and there is a possibility for your home to be without a roof for quite some time. So, you need to pick the season and schedule the contractors during clement weather conditions. Even though you can never know when it comes to the weather since it can change within seconds, you should pick a date with good weather predictions.
Cheaper Is Not Always Better
Most of the time, you will choose to go with a lower estimate. However, you need to understand that quality indeed has its own price. So, it is of the utmost importance to take all the factors into consideration and determine the value, quality, and all costs covered. Typically, cheaper estimates leave out some elements, such as old roofing disposal costs, ventilation, insulation, flashing, etc.
Chimney
The chimney is an integral part of your roof, and you need to be aware that you have to take good care of it as well. The point is that it is a common case that there are leaks coming from around your chimney, and that can pose a serious problem. In case your roof is too damaged and demands repair, it would be a good thing to inspect the chimney as well.
The roof is an integral part of your home, and as such, it must be properly maintained. There are many things you can do to prevent all the damage that can pose an even greater problem and cause terminal dysfunction of your roof. So, conducting a thorough inspection of your roof plays a huge role. In case you need to replace your roof, the previously mentioned pieces of advice will help you a lot.
