Saturday, July 20, 2013

What Consumers Should Know About Roof Replacements

By Chelsea Evans


Replacing the shingles on a home is a big job that can be expensive. One should not undertake roof replacements without being certain of what you need and the company that will be doing the job. A roofing contractor can provide answers as to what needs to be done as well as the cost of the job. Regardless of the situation, it is important to know the options before having the job started.

Sometimes roofs need to be replaced prematurely due to the fact that the builder or the previous owners choose materials unwisely. There are more choices than ever before today. As homeowners talk with contractors they may want to discuss the options, benefits and costs for materials. This can help to determine the best material for the building as well as for one's checking account.

Before a person selects the contractor, he or she might want to do some investigating. Reputable contractors should provide references. Check out these references to determine what to expect for the job. Sometimes a word of mouth reference from a friend or relative is the best way to find the appropriate company to do the job.

Most roofs are constructed from asphalt shingles today. These materials provide a twenty year lifespan. As they are exposed to all sorts of weather, they can begin to age allowing aggregate to loosen and wash away while felt suffers from the elements. After about twenty years, the chances of problems such as leaks greatly increase.

In some cases it may be possible to apply new shingles over the older ones. However, if the last shingles were applied over existing ones, building code will generally require that the materials be stripped. Roofing is heavy and collapses are much easier if this limit is exceeded. In addition, if the existing shingles are curling at the edges, it may be best to remove the old materials so the new ones will lie flat.

There should always be a written contract before the job starts. This document protects homeowners as well as the contractors. Owners know what they can expect, what is included in the cost and potential problems. Contracts should require contact and approval from the owner for repairs above the contract price.

The process is very loud. If a member of the family is already suffering from stress the additional noise that begins early in the morning can be overwhelming. It is sometimes best to plan for work to take place when this person is away from home for several days. The work can otherwise interfere with an already disrupted sleep pattern.

With roof replacements, homeowners need a contractor that can be trusted. Owners should be informed of both the process and materials to be used. Although the job is big and sometimes expensive, it is essential to ensure the home remains a sound structure to protect the family. A leaking house can be a miserable place in which to live and suffer significant structural damage if repairs are not made qickley.




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