Maintain Your Roof This Winter

Winter is tough on roofs. Often, it’s when the cold, windy, and wet weather hits that you first become aware of any roofing problems that have developed within the last few months. Ideally, the fall is the best time to catch and resolve these roofing problems but that doesn’t mean it’s too late. While you might be tempted to wait until warmer weather, keep in mind that every day your roofing problem goes unfixed, it’s getting worse. So if you’ve spotted roofing troubles, move that to the top of your home improvement list. Though it may not be as much fun to spend money on the outside of your home as it is the inside, it’s crucial that your home is protected from the elements. So here are some tips for taking care of any roofing problems this winter.

Hire a contractor

If money is tight, and especially if you have some experience with doing home improvement work around the house, you might be tempted to tackle any roofing problems yourself. But roofing isn’t a job you want to leave to a non-professional. If roofing work is done improperly, it can void any warranties on your existing roof. It can do more harm than good. The first thing you should do when you become aware of a problem on your roof is to call a professional roofer.

Make sure to ask around for recommendations for good roofers. Nothing speaks more to a roofer’s skill than their reputation in your community. Be wary of roofers who ask for payment upfront. Most reputable roofers have enough money to cover the cost of materials and won’t take payment until the work is done to the homeowner’s satisfaction.

Stay involved

Just because you’ve hired a roofer doesn’t mean you can’t stay involved. The worst time to tell the roofer you’re dissatisfied with the new roof is at the very end of the project. Make sure you’re an active part of the process from the beginning. If a contractor is especially pushy and dismissive about your opinions or concerns, you might want to find a new roofer.

To start with, make sure you receive a written contract before any actual work begins. This contract will specify what materials will be used, about how long the project will take, and how much it will cost. You should also periodically check on the progress of the work to make sure it’s being done to your satisfaction. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask your contractor.

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Source: nottinghampost.com/Property-advice-Keeping-roof-head-condition/story-25901576-detail/story.html