Article by-Jensen Skovgaard
Knowing what to look for when hiring a roofing contractor is an important component of the decision-making process. You may know how to do all of the research, but if you don't know what to look for when researching, it is pointless! Each paragraph below will bring to light some of the favorable and not-so-favorable qualities of today's roofing professionals.
When taking on a roofing job, make sure that you understand what you are doing, before starting the project. Taking a class at your local hardware store can prepare you for the job. Not understanding what you are doing can result in the job costing more than you ever intended.
You need to ask many questions prior to engaging a professional roofing contractor. Ask about the number of nails that will be used for each shingle. Three nails is rarely sufficient. Ask them about the methods they use to find out whether or not they give good answers. If you cannot get a reasonable answer, find someone else.
Trim your grass prior to the arrival of your contractor. This way, you can easily locate any nails that have fallen off during the work process. Even better, a magnetized nail finder will work at its optimum in short grass.
Check roofing materials before putting new shingles up.  
dutch gable roof  occur quickly due to improper installation. Be sure the shingles you use are durable and do not have any cracks. Also, be sure the nails can penetrated your shingles and keep them in place.
When signing a contract with a roofer, check for the small print about material costs and labor. Do sign with a company which lists the costs and what will happen if their costs increase during the job. Also go with a company which charges around $1.50 a square foot for decking replacement.
If your appointment with the roofer is scheduled, but is not to occur for a few more days, you may want to make a temporary leak repair. Get some heavy plastic material and nail it up. This is not the most effective way to deal with leaks, but it will tide you over for the time being.
After a thorough inspection and cleaning of the roof, it is imperative to patch and seal any problem areas. Make sure that the weather report shows nice weather, because sealing materials may take up to two days to completely cure. A sealant or other coating should be applied after the areas are cured.
Conduct  
Visit Home Page  over the entire surface, so you do not miss any problem areas. The material should be bonded well, and fasteners are secured. If you want to work on a certain area, the material must be clean and dry. Be safe when working on the roof to avoid injury.
While you may only see problems with your roof in the valleys on top of your home, this is one way in which your roof will beg for replacement. These are "high traffic" areas for water, so damage will almost always begin here first. Once it starts, it is time to replace your roof.
While you should leave heavy duty work up to professionals, there's lots of preventative maintenance you can do to keep your roof in great shape. Keep an eye out for shingles that need to be repaired or replaced, and make sure your flashing and underlining are in good condition. With a little effort, you can avoid big repair jobs altogether.
If you decide to hire contractors to install your roof, make sure that you stay safe. Keep young children and pets inside so they cannot be injured by falling debris. Mark the sprinklers and remove any furniture or lawn ornaments to avoid damage. Also, warn your neighbors about the noise from the installation beforehand.
Ask your roofing contractor to include regular maintainance inside of your contract of having it replaced. Doing this can extend the life of your roof by many years, as well as ensure that you do not have to pay out of your pocket for every little roofing problem that you have.
You can look for a qualified roofing company by using several different methods. You can obtain referrals from family, friends, or other businesses you may be involved with. You can check the phone book or Yellow Pages to see who is listed locally. You can also check for local roofing companies online, along with reviews from satisfied and unsatisfied customers.
Be sure you ask all your questions before the roofing begins. Make sure you ask about anything that can become a big problem later. If the contractor refuses to answer your questions, don't work with them.
Do not ignore any of the signs that you have a leak. It can be stressful to acknowledge that you may have an expensive problem on your hands, but avoiding it will almost surely lead to a bigger issue in the long run. To avoid this you should address any sign of a leak immediately.
If you ever need to go up onto your roof, have someone with you. Accidents can happen and it is best to have someone there to help you.
When a roofing contractor has finished working on your roof, make sure to get a lien waiver. This document will let you know that your contractor has settled any and all debts with the manufacturer for any and all materials used. This will keep you from getting any surprises later on.
Before hiring a roofing business, check the Better Business Bureau website to ensure there are no previous complaints from customers. You can view complaints even if the company is not actually registered with the BBB. The BBB provides consumers with reliability reports that help them make the right choices when it comes to any business, including roofing.
Don't allow roofing advice to overwhelm you. There is no need to know every last detail about roofing. You just need to be aware of important roofing aspects in order to succeed in your roofing endeavors. This article has provided you with a wealth of advice, and now all you need to do is apply it.
