roof in

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.

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.

Whether you are the owner of one small ranch style home, or the proprietor of numerous large properties, one thing about owning properties is inevitable. Eventually the roof will need to be replaced on your building(s). While this is something that the hard-core do-it-yourselfer could possibly do on his own, chances are that you will be hiring a roofing contractor to do the job for you.

Everyone would like to get the best deal possible when it comes to home or building repairs, but the best deal does not necessarily mean the cheapest price. You will also need to consider the quality of the work being done, the time frame in which it can be completed, and the reputation that the business has with its previous clients.

When looking for roofing contractors, word-of-mouth is usually a reliable way to go. Your neighbors and family members have all probably had to have a roof replaced at one time or another during their years of homeownership. Ask them what they thought of the contractor they used.

Good questions to ask include: "Did you feel that the business sent a professional crew out to do the work?" "How long did it take the crew to complete the job?", and "How has the roof weathered through the years?" You will also want to find out if the person thought that they received a good value for their money.

So, now that you have some roofing contractors in mind, you will want to compare the materials they use, the length of time it will take to finish the project, and the total cost involved. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

If one quote includes the tear off of your existing shingles, repair of any damaged USB board, new tar paper, new drip edge, and 30 year guaranteed architectural shingles, then you will want to make sure that the other contractor's quotes include those same items.

As you can see, choosing a roofing contractor involves a lot more than price. Choosing the lowest quote only gets you the cheapest price, not necessarily the very best deal. The lowest priced contractor may very well have the best deal for you, but to ensure that, you must compare the other aspects of his quote. You must also make sure that all businesses giving you a quote are licensed, insured, and have adequate experience to complete the project at hand.

The average life span of a roof is about fifteen years depending on the type of material used and the weather it is exposed to. At some point every home owner will face the daunting task of replacing it on their home and it can seem like an off putting job to find a professional roofer to get it done. One of the most important factors to consider that will have an impact on both the cost and the finished appearance will be the roofing contractor that is selected to do the job. Since the replacement should last a good fifteen years and the cost can be slightly high it is imperative to select a competent and professional roofer to do the job right the first time.

One method to find a contractor that is highly recommended is to utilize a consumer based web site that post the consumer reviews of a business with a degree of accountability by not posting reviews that are submitted anonymously. Finding at least three contractors should be easy after reviewing their consumer ratings and then selecting the top contenders to interview. A contractor can help guide the homeowner in the next part of the process of replacing or repairing the roof by helping with material selection based on the consumer budget and needs.

The material used will have an impact on the overall cost of repairing or replacing the roof as will the pitch and by doing a little research on the type of materials available you can understand your options better. A few different types of material to consider for roofing materials include asphalt composite shingles which are cheap but not overall attractive since they tend to have a flat look to them and slate roofing which is more expensive but also more attractive.

For the home owner wanting to be ecologically responsible there is rubber slate or faux slate which is a composite of recycled materials. Metal roofs have also begun to grow a bit in popularity due to the fact that they have a long lifetime of easy no maintenance care but this is a selection that can require the roofing contractor to have special knowledge to install correctly.

What ever roofer you end up going with will be a great asset to selecting materials and keeping the price within your budget. And of course after the roofing contractor does what should be a wonderful job after your research and selection process, make sure to post a positive review on the same consumer web site so the roofer can be around to replace the roof again in fifteen years.

When hailstorms hit Madison, Wisconsin in July, the damaged roofs they left in their wake prompted experts to warn city homeowners about roofing repair companies. Soon thereafter, yard signs and flyers from roof repair companies littered the neighborhood. In response, Channel3000.com reported, "Local contractors and consumer protection experts urge homeowners to do their homework first and check a [roofing] contractor's history to avoid signing with a so-called 'storm chaser' who might come swooping through the area."

The report went on to state, "State officials said that they urge consumers to learn more about any company." More specifically, Wisconsin's Bureau of Consumer Protection "warned that residents should be cautious of groups who might be trying to rush the deal." Officials from the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection further cautioned, "Nearly every time there's a big weather event somewhere in the state, the office does get calls about questionable contractors."

Meanwhile, in Denver, Colorado, the damaging storms the city received earlier in the summer season was prompting officials to echo Madison's sentiments. A KDVR report titled "Tips to avoid storm repair scams" revealed that in the month of June, "the Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau says 85 percent of inquiries it received were related to roof repair."

To prevent homeowners from falling victim to such scams and to save itself the headache of dealing with the resulting complaints, the BBB issued a list of suggestions to "avoid getting taken as far as [roof] repairs are concerned." They included:

1. Take your time in choosing a roofing contract. Although the repair may seem urgent, signing on the dotted line with the first company who knocks on your door is setting yourself up for disaster. "Always get three bids and check each company out with your BBB," the Denver Better Business Bureau advised.

2. Now is not the time to be trustworthy. Just because someone looks the part or says he is a roofing professional doesn't mean he is. "Get [his] business card and contact the main office for the company [he] say [he] works for and verify the person's employment," the BBB cautions.

3. Try to stick to a roofing repair contractor in your own state. Out-of-state businesses are more likely to be fly-by-night operations that will be near impossible to track down, let alone dispute, down the road when a shoddy roof repair job becomes apparent.

4. Don't sign anything without reading it thoroughly. If something is unclear to you, seek legal counsel. The BBB recommends that "you clearly understand what you and the contractor are both responsible for."

5. Your home insurance company is your best friend on the heels of roofing damage. Contact them immediately and "conduct an inspection with the claims adjuster before involving any contractor."

6. Make sure you contact your insurance carrier yourself. Never divulge "your insurance information to a contractor and do not allow them to file a claim on your behalf."

7. Check with you county building department to ensure that the roofing contractor you're considering is licensed.

8. If you've already signed a contract "that locks you into paying even if no work is done," admit your folly and "contact your attorney immediately."

The roof of the house, when properly designed and constructed, should protect the house from the elements for hundreds of years, maybe indefinitely. As a rain gutter contractor here in Michigan I have seen many roof designs that fail at this basic job: protecting the home from the elements. Many of the older homes have stood the test of time though where an addition was added water infiltration, rot and mold is a frequent occurrence. Older homes were generally smaller and complex roof designs were avoided because the basic shape of the house was rectangular. Contemporary, mass produced "spec homes" are mazes of wings, odd shapes, kicked-outs, dormers, gables, cathedral ceiling great-rooms and other features built for no other apparent reason than curb-side "Wow" factor. Living in and maintaining these homes will be an expensive endeavor for the homeowner.

"The roof shall protect the home from the elements". Start with this basic idea and the appropriate design will become apparent.

1. The roof should channel and collect water for irrigation of landscaping; drywells are required by code in many places and protect our fresh water supply.
2. Avoid long roof valleys at all costs. Short valleys for dormers should be of metal. Never bend shingles into a valley; these shingles will fail long before the rest of the roof.
3. The slope of the roof should always be oriented away from decks, patios,
entrances and driveways; the gable end must be over these areas or a small "doghouse" or dormer be used to channel water from the entrance area or porch.
4. A valley must never end next to a vertical exterior wall.
5. Gutters should be kept to a minimum and always be accessible from the ground with the average home owner kept in mind for cleaning. (see my articles on gutter design)
6. Avoid flat and low slope roofs at all costs!
7. Choose the appropriate slope for the climate the house will be built in.
8. Avoid vertical walls next to a roof surface where snow can swirl and drift.
9. Be generous with eves and soffit for ventilation and insulation. Eves also protect the widows from rain and give shade to keep the house cool and save energy.
10. Consider investing in metal roofing.

The house designed with these features will be moderate in size. The savings realized from a smaller house with a simple roof can be used to upgrade to such things as metal roofing, larger windows, built-in cabinetry, hardwood floor, high quality plumbing fixtures and better heating and cooling equipment. This will create long-term value for generations to comes.

"Form follows function". The beauty of the design in found in its functionality.

Tag : roof,strong roof,metal roof

Roof maintenance is a crucial part of overall house maintenance. Irrespective of whether your roof is made of wood, tiles, metal materials or shingle, to ensure a long life for your house you must maintain your roof well.

The usual problems that occur with roofs can be manifold. Leakage is one such problem. If not fixed in time, the leakage might make water sip through into your walls and weaken the base of your house. The entire structure of your house is threatened. Hence it is important to check regularly for evidences of leaks in your house such as mold, moisture and stains of water, and take action at the earliest if such evidence is found.

In case of wooden roofs you would want to ensure that the wood does not show any evidence of cracking. For tile roofs, watch out for cracked and broken tiles and replace such tiles immediately. And it is advisable to fix such problems with professional help, since improper finish might lead to further problems.

To detect issues with your roof, there are some symptoms to look out for. For a flat roof, a good drainage system is critical. Watch out for missing shingles, tiles or nails. Ensure there are no cracks and noticeable decays. Dry and dirty-looking areas on your roof may be a sign of the roofing material on those areas are at the end of their life span and require replacement. Make sure that the mortar and bricks of your chimney are all in good shape.

Last and never the least, make sure every repair that you make meet the desired quality standards - else it would hurt your house more than it would help.

Tag : roof,roof repair,red roof,metal roof