Roof restoration is an integral part of house maintenance but a lot of people tend to ignore it. This however is not a very wise thing to do. A roof performs several important functions and plays a major role in protecting the house. So, restoring your roof at the right time is important. And to restore the roofing of your house, you will need to hire a great residential roofing contractor. This is important because replacing the roof of your house or re-roofing is more expensive than most of the other housing repairs. And you will obviously want you make sure that you money is well spent.
To find a good residential roof contractor, you need to ask around. Talk to your friends and neighbors who have recently got their roofs restored. In this way you might get the names of a few roofing companies that do good work. After getting the names, your next step will be to learn in details about them. Check the internet for information on the companies. Make sure that the companies are insured and licensed. See what technology is used by each of the companies.
While doing your research try to at least 3 estimates. Most companies mention their estimates in the official websites. If estimates are not mentioned, call the companies and ask for the same. Meet the representatives of the company with the most favorable estimate and ask all the questions that are bothering you. Make sure you get satisfactory answers. Ask questions like which material will suit your house the best and how long will the roof last. You also need to ask questions regarding the workforce of the company. Know how long it will take the company to complete the roofing. When it comes to signing the contract, make sure that every important detail is mentioned in it.
Few things can cause as much consternation and damage as a leak in the roof. Unless you want to hire a roofing company to come over and fix it for you (which isn't the worst idea in many circumstances), you'll need to know how to not only find the leak, but repair it yourself.
Few things can cause as much consternation and damage as a leak in the roof. Unless you want to hire a roofing company to come over and fix it for you (which isn't the worst idea in many circumstances), you'll need to know how to not only find the leak, but repair it yourself. Thankfully, there are products on the market that can help you do just that. The primary product you'll be working with is a tri-polymer sealant. This sealant will be used to patch up small holes that have appeared overhead. If you have holes that are larger than this, you should immediately contact a professional. Keep in mind that fixing a leak in this manner is only a temporary solution.
Your first job will be to find the location of the leak. This is easier said than done, many times. The best place to start is in the attic, preferably when it is raining. Even then, finding the exact location of the leak can be a tricky prospect. Because of beams, nails, and other forms of interference, most leaks don't result in water dripping straight down from the hole. If you do happen to find the leak, however, stick something through the hole so you don't lose the location. Try to pick something small, so you don't wind up making the hole worse than it was to begin with.
After you've pinpointed the location of the breach, get up on a ladder and commence to performing your amateur roofing. Find the object you slid through the hole and remove it. Get out your sealant and spread it fully around the area of the hole, covering it thoroughly. Since it is a runny substance, it will drip down into the hole. This is perfect and exactly what you want. Most sealants of this type are clear, so you don't have to worry about matching it to anything. If you have anything valuable underneath the hole (that you haven't already removed due to the water leak), you will want to get it out of the way before you begin patching up the leak.
In this way, you can easily and quickly patch up any roofing leaks you may have sprung. However, it is a good idea to call a professional at some point in the future to get a good, permanent fix. You may also have other parts of your material that are susceptible to leaking, so it is best to get those looked at before any major problems arise.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alfred_Ardis
Few homeowners give roofing the respect and thought it deserves. As the crown to any good house, the roof performs functions both aesthetic and practical, not to be ignored for the benefit of other, less important matters. While the biggest aspects of roofing are always best left to the professionals, that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a hand in the decision making process. If you are thinking of buying a new home or doing a roof replacement, here are some things you should know about some of the biggest trends in the industry.
While it has been around for many years, the popularity of the built-up roof cannot be overstated. It was first developed over a hundred years ago and because it has such a sterling reputation in the roofing industry, many contractors and professionals consider it the default option. Because it makes use of several layers, including gravel surfacing, it is typically one of the strongest choices you can make. If you expect the top of your house will be taking a beating from weather and climate, it might be the way to go.
Another form of roofing material that has been growing in popularity for some time is the single ply system. With this system, only a single layer of plastic material is used to form the basis for the structure. Naturally, because it still needs to protect the house from weather and other forms of contaminants, this type of material is generally quite thick in nature. While not the cheapest form of work you can get, single ply is on the inexpensive side and can thus be a good choice for those on a limited budget.
Of course, many people choose to go with that old standby: metal roofing. While typically not the choice for those looking for an aesthetically pleasing solution, it is still popular for many businesses and warehouses for its ability to last for a long time, provide terrific protection against the weather, and its predisposition to favorable warranties. On the other hand, there are few materials more susceptible to small leaks, which means some maintenance will almost certainly be required.
When it comes to choosing your system, take a look at the other examples in the neighborhood. This will not only give you some ideas to choose from, but can probably give you a chance to tailor your house to meet the area aesthetic. Choose a good contractor and you can elicit his opinion as well on which direction you should go.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Avery