You want a safe home. You want a warm home. And of course, you want an energy-efficient home. Do you know what can help you achieve all of these goals? Your roof. That's right, if you call up a roofer and tell them about your desires, they can recommend some roofing repairs or materials to help you achieve those desires. They may recommend a metal roof, or they might recommend adding zinc strips to the roof peak. It all depends. One thing we can promise, though, is that learning more about roofing is a good idea. This blog is a good resource, but we recommend looking for other ones, too.
Fundamentals Of Roofing Replacement: An Overview
If your home's roofing has seen better days, you might be preparing for a roofing replacement. Since roof replacements are usually only required every couple of decades, many homeowners who are dealing with this process have never had to do it before. If you're new to roof replacement, you may be wondering where you should start and what you need to know from your roofing contractor. Here's a look at some of the things that you should discuss with your roofer before you start the replacement project.
Are You Recommending A Tear-Off Or Overlay?
In order to adequately understand your roofing replacement quote and the results you'll get from the project, the first thing you need to understand is if your roofing contractor is suggesting a complete tear-off or an overlay.
The difference between the two is pretty simple. A tear-off is an entire roofing replacement in which the old roofing materials are completely removed and disposed of, then the new roofing materials are installed in their place. An overlay, on the other hand, leaves the existing roofing in place and applies the new roofing materials directly over the top of them.
An overlay is often more cost-effective, but it doesn't allow for close inspection of the underlayment, which may be harboring hidden damage that needs to be addressed. Make sure you understand which process your roofer is recommending and why.
What Happens If The Underlayment Is Damaged?
Even if your roofing contractor is recommending an overlay, you should request an inspection of the underlayment and roof decking just in case there's hidden damage. At the same time, make sure you are clear on what your roofing contractor's plan will be if any damage is discovered.
Additionally, find out what the roofing contractor will do if they are in the process of an overlay and finds an area on the roof that is structurally weakened and needs further repairs. The goal is to be sure that you are informed ahead of time and allowed to make the determination of how to proceed.
What Is The Warranty?
All new roofing materials come with some kind of warranty from the manufacturer. Make sure that you understand what warranty coverage you'll get and how to seek reimbursement on that warranty if it's needed.
You should also clarify with your roofing contractor if there is any kind of warranty offered by their company for the work that's done. Many times, your roofing material warranty will only cover the materials themselves and not the labor associated with those materials. That's why it's best to find a roofing contractor that stands behind their work by offering a warranty on their labor.
Contact a company like Kerry Roofing LLC to learn more.