Roofing

Seasoned homeowners know to always keep a watchful eye turned toward their roofs. A well-laid and well-maintained roof is more than a cover over your home: it represents your family’s safety and security. While many people are intimidated by climbing a ladder to the roof, if it is possible to have a dependable person hold the ladder steady at the bottom, all homeowners should visually inspect their roofs at least once a year. Determining the areas which need closer inspection from the ground will eliminate the need to actually get onto the roof. If you have an attic, look for water stains or other flaws on its ceiling to also clue you in to what parts of the exterior might need repair.

When deciding on whether to repair roofing or replace your roofing, be sure to consider all factors. First, determine how old your current roof is. If your roof is more than twenty or thirty years old, chances are the whole roof should be replaced. Even if your roof is ten years old, but your home is located in an area with harsh winters or humid summers, a new roof bears consideration. Newer roofs with faults here and there may simply need to be patched.

Roofing shingles come in many different materials and appearances. By far, asphalt shingles are the most common, regardless of environment. Asphalt shingles have a longer life than any other type of shingle and are very easy to replace on both large and small scales. For instance, if a wayward tree limb causes damage to a single shingle, it can be replaced without even disturbing adjacent shingles. If your budget allows, you may want to explore the visual effect of other types of shingles such as slate or wood. While the aesthetics of these other materials may be more pleasing to you, the initial cost as well as the cost of maintaining these roofs may be prohibitive.

Unless you are a roofing professional, it is strongly recommended that you hire a professional for a roofing project. Professionals are able to determine the extent of a repair, the amount of material needed, and can advise you on material selection as well. A roofing professional will also have on hand the various industry tools, such as a roof jack, that make the job move more quickly and efficiently.

If replacing the entire roof, the old one must be first be removed. This will require plenty of muscle and stamina, although not a lot of experience. The hard part comes when it is time to dispose of the old material, so be sure to plan for this ahead of time. After stripping the roof down to the bare wood, a protective layer of water- and weather-resistant material should be laid. On top of that barrier, the tar or tar paper will be attached, and then the shingles themselves will be laid on top of that. Flashing and drip edges will be added between these stages, and are both important to maintain the integrity of the roof.

When repaired or replaced with quality, an improved roof will not only ensure a higher home value, but it will also bring you peace of mind while under it.