Summary: Roofing contractors offer various services to homeowners and businesses, including installations, repairs, and inspections. Research companies that have proven experience that aligns with your particular needs.
A roof replacement is one of the most expensive home improvement projects any homeowner can undergo. Fortunately, a properly installed and maintained roof can last over 15 years. Unfortunately, this also means that most homeowners are not exceptionally knowledgeable about roof installation.
Here are some valuable things to know before getting your roof replaced.
- The contractor
Picking the right Roof Installation Fairfax County might be the most crucial decision in your journey to a new roof. First, you should check which contractors have done other work in your area and see if those customers were satisfied. A quality contractor should be licensed and bonded, have good insurance, and follow all codes and regulations.
- Measuring your roof
A roofing contractor will base their estimate on the number of squares of roofing material your roof needs. One square is the material needed to cover 100 square feet of surface area. So, for example, a roof with 40 squares that has 4,000 square feet need to be covered.
- Ventilation
A properly ventilated roof reduces moisture build-up in the winter and can prevent your tiles from getting too hot in the summer. In addition, it increases the longevity of the roofing materials used to replace your roof.
- Replace the underlying wood
Ensure your contractor addresses and allows for the potential need to repair the wood under the shingles in your contract. Attaching new shingles to faulty wood can reduce the lifespan of your new roof.
- Wind resistance
The warranty and performance of roofing materials about wind resistance are essential if you live in an area where prevalent hurricanes, tornadoes, or other severe weather patterns. Wind speed warranties can be as low as 60 MPH or as high as 130 MPH.
- Warranties and after-sales services
Knowing what your Roof Repair Alexandria VA can provide after the roof is installed is essential. Know if your warranty covers the product, labor, and parts and the length of time it covers. Ask if there are any situations that your warranty does not cover. Also, ask how they handle service calls and appointments and how much they cost.
- Price
While finding a contractor with the lowest price is a natural thing, it may not be the best. A good contractor will be more expensive, but the costs will cover everything they need to ensure your roof will last for a long time. A fair price does not necessarily mean the lowest price. Quality materials and complete satisfaction and peace of mind are worth a little extra money.
- Possess expertise
A roofing company must possess the expertise to be well known for installing, renovating, and maintaining roofs. The experts should have relative experience in dealing with the most complex roofing problems and should provide the most appropriate solution. They must have in-depth knowledge about all types of roofing problems because if a roof is not installed correctly, then it can cause damage to the property inside. They should also be well equipped with the latest tools and possess sufficient knowledge to work with their tools and equipment.
- Good quality roofing services
The roofing company’s roof should be durable, good in quality, and efficient enough to handle harsh weather conditions outside the building premises. There should be a good variety of roofs of varied sizes and designs available with the roofing companies for the clients to choose from. One of the most important things to consider is the price of materials and labor costs a company charges. Therefore, one should always compare the cost of different companies before choosing one. Besides, the company should provide qualitative services up to their client’s expectations, and there should be a guarantee on every purchase from the company.
- Adding Insulation
Roofing services can also come in handy when it comes time to add insulation to your roof. Unfortunately, many homes have inadequate Insulation on the roof, which allows heat to escape and can cause damage to the roof. Of course, allowing heat to escape is also inefficient and results in higher energy bills. Even if your roof appears in good shape, it is a good idea to have a professional examine the roof every couple of years to ensure the Insulation is in good shape.
- Shingling Your Roof
One service that roofing services may provide is shingling your roof. When shingling your roof, the service provider may replace shingles that have become damaged. Before hiring a roofing service to re-shingle your roof, you should consider the possibility of simply repairing the shingles already there. A roofing service can sometimes salvage the shingles if they slip without getting damaged. It can be a far less expensive option that may be better suited to your budget at the time.
- Felting Your Roof
If you have a flat roof, you likely have felting to make it waterproof. This felting, which is simply rolls of cellulose backed with tar or asphalt and then melted to the roof with a torch, should also be inspected every few years to ensure your roof is receiving the type of waterproofing protection it needs.
- Installing Gutters
Another service that most roofing services provide is installing gutters and performing maintenance on gutters. While it is true that you can clean out gutters on your own, hiring a roofing service to clean the gutters is a safer option. In addition, professional roofing services have the equipment necessary to do a thorough job. While they are up there, they can check your roof to determine whether repairs are necessary.
Roofing services are also able to repair chimney stacks or, if necessary, they can install or remove them from the roof as well.
