There are few experiences more unpleasant for a homeowner than having to live under a malfunctioning
roof, and sometimes replacing your
roof can be one of those experiences. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make the experience a bit more quick and painless. One of the ways also is simply knowing when it is time to replace it, versus when it just needs minor patching which is an entirely different situation.
Knowing when to replace your roof; knowing is half the battle, and if there is any leak present, it must be taken seriously. A small drip toward the end of winter may seem like something that can be put off until you can get around to replacing a tile, but with monsoon season in between now and then, the drip may become a waterfall. Getting up on the roof can be tricky, especially if snow or ice covered, and it may be better at this point to call a professional. If this is the route you decide to take, there are a few ways to make things run a bit more smoothly.
Choosing a contractor to replace your roof; should begin with setting up appointments with a number of different companies to get estimates. There's no way to guess the cost of roof repair, and even if you eventually decide to replace it yourself, it is imperative to at least know what it will cost you, and what must be done. Not to mention price and specialization can very a fair amount between professionals, so it is always best to get multiple.
See examples of their work: any respectable contractor will have reviews and examples of their work posted somewhere publicly. Whether it is their own web page, or on roofing forums, you should always know what you're getting and seeing and speaking personally to the workers is key. Seeing examples of work also confirms they have been doing their job for a long enough time where they can be trusted and have already made a positive reputation.
There are a number of different materials that can be used to fix or replace roofing, and they have different costs associated, so it is good to know what materials are being used on your home and how much they are going to cost, because labor is expensive also, and the overall expense can be surprising. If you choose to attempt it yourself there is an immense amount of research to do, but more importantly is SAFETY. It cannot possibly be stressed enough that the project is extremely dangerous, and to attempt it without taking every possible precaution is almost certain injury.
