When it is time to replace the roof on the family home, there are important decisions to make. Should a homeowner stick with the same kind of roofing material or take this chance to choose a better roofing option? What roofing material will be best for this house in this area? Who will be the best roofing contractor to hire, and how does the homeowner talk to the roofer to get the best job?
What Might go Wrong With Different Roofing Materials?
Every roofing material has problem areas to consider. Having a good roofing repair contractor on call for repairs and maintenance is good. The need to hire a roofer can be for repairs as well as for roof replacement. Common problems roof repair contractors find include:
- Tile roofs that are damaged due to heavy rain or hail damage
- Older metal roofs that have rusted or corroded because of the high humidity in Colorado
- Flat asphalt roofs that are cracking and buckling because of sun damage
- Asphalt shingles damaged by high winds, rain and hail storms, UV damage, and more. They can crack and split.
- PVC roofs that have shrunk and are leaking.
- Coated roofs that have torn places causing leaks
- TPO or thermoplastic polyolefin reflective membrane roofs that have UV damage causing separation between parts of the roofing system.
- EDPM or ethylene propylene diene monomer roofing that has been improperly installed and comes unglued causing roofing failure.
Some of these defects or damages can be corrected while others cannot. When problems can’t be corrected, a new roof will be needed.
Getting the Best Roof for Your Home
When a home’s roof is worn out and in need of replacement, having the best local roofing contractor can make all the difference. But, how does a homeowner find the best contractor and talk to them about he roof to get the best job? The home’s roof is its first line of defense against weather and other dangers, so it is important to have a good roof. But, a roof is only as good as the materials used and the quality of installation.
Each homeowner should do a little research on products and roofing techniques and then get several bids from different local roofing contractors. Look into the services, fees, and warranties local contractors commonly offer. Here are good practices for choosing the final contractor.
- Ask each contractor about their training and certifications and if it is their crew that will be installing the roof.
- Ask for proof of licensing, tax ID number, certifications, and insurance for liability and worker’s compensation.
- Always insist on a written contract that is binding and lists roofing materials used, subcontractors used if any, payment schedules, work schedule and completion date for job, how cleanup will be handled, how homeowner’s property will be protected, and other details.
- Always avoid cash deals because, if something goes wrong, you need a paper trail to get compensation.
- Talk to the contractor about which permits are needed and who is responsible for obtaining them. Building permits should never be skipped.
- Take the time to get educated about roofing materials and installation requirements so you will know if everything is being done correctly and with no corners being cut. Know what safety precautions should be used, and make sure your contractor is using them. Finally, are the installers wearing proper safety gear?
Talking to the chosen contractor about reasonable expectations can avoid misunderstandings and bad roofing outcomes.