Are you a Northern Virginia homeowner that needs roof repair? Finding a roofing contractor in Northern Virginia, or anywhere, seems to be an easy enough task with the help of Google. However, even though it might be easy to find infinite listings of roof contractors, how do you discern between each listing and find the best one? In order to help yourself make an informed decision about the Northern Virginia roof repair contractor you hire, it’s essential to have a roof repair checklist:
Northern Virginia Roof Repair Cost
Cost is a primary consideration for home improvement, but it’s important to balance cost with quality and experience. It’s tempting to hire acquaintances who are generally handy in all aspects of home improvement and maintenance, as these freelancers usually charge less than professional Northern Virginia roofing companies or roofing contractors. However, it is unlikely that a general handyman possesses the qualifications and insurance required to provide quality roofing services that won’t need to be revisited year after year.
Roofing Contractor References
When you’ve conducted an initial search for Northern Virginia roof repair contractors in your area and narrowed it down to one, it’s important to remember to ask the company you’re going with for references. When you ask them about this, it’s a great tip to ask for the last three customers they served. This is because if you just ask for general references, a roofing contractor will only provide you with the details of customers who were happy with their work. This doesn’t present an accurate representation of the quality of service they provide, particularly if the jobs were done years ago. Thus, make sure you ask for references from their most recent customers as this will be a good indicator of the quality of work you can expect.
Northern Virginia Roofing Contractor Insurance
Any professional Northern Virginia roof repair contractor should be insured for unforeseen events that can occur throughout the process of repairing your roof: this includes insurance for the potential injury of workers. Thus, if you’ve assessed your roof and acknowledged that the repair required would best be carried out by a professional, make sure you ask for details regarding their commercial liability insurance, including the amount they’re covered for.
Roofing Industry Standards In Northern Virginia
While not essential, it’s assuring to know that a Northern Virginia roof repair contractor belongs to an organization that monitors industry standards, as this is a sign of quality workmanship and serious commitment to the professionalism of roof contracting. Memberships and affiliations can be industry specific or more general. It would be appropriate to find out if the roofing contractor you’re thinking about hiring belongs to such an organization, because it is standard for reputable businesses to be affiliated with standard-bearers within their chosen industry.
Roofing Warranty
For costly items, it’s always sensible to find out if a warranty is included. If we purchase a new TV, for example, one of the first things we ask is if it comes with a warranty: particularly if it’s a high-end product. It’s not different when you’re preparing a roof repair checklist, particularly if your roof needs reinstalled. However, whether you only need repairs or complete renovation, there are two main types of roofing warranty to keep in mind: a manufacturer warranty, and a workmanship warranty. A manufacturer warranty covers the material used in the roof repair or installation, while a workmanship warranty is sometimes offered by the roofing contractors and covers the work they carry out.
A roof repair checklist isn’t limited to the factors to consider when hiring a Northern roof repair contractor: it also includes a checklist for yourself. There are ways of looking after your roof that can help you save on repairs, or at least reduce the frequency of damage occurring:
Northern Virginia Roofing Maintenance
Any homeowner who likes to cut costs on repairs and keep their house in good order should conduct regular maintenance on their roof. A roof inspection is a job that’s easy to forget about: when we consider home maintenance and repair, we often limit ourselves to the interior of the home. Exterior maintenance is just as important, however: and this doesn’t just mean that we may sure to keep the lawn neat and tidy! Exterior maintenance includes an occasional roofing inspection. Carrying out regular inspections will help you spot the first signs of repair necessities before they develop into a costlier and more complicated issue. Maintaining your roof will help you to prevent costly repairs, and will enable you to decide on the course of action when normal wear and tear calls for professional Northern Virginia roof repair.
What To Look For In Roof Repair
When carrying out a Northern Virginia roof inspection, you don’t necessarily need to be on the roof. You can inspect your roof from the ground thoroughly by using a pair of binoculars, or alternatively just do a check for flaws that are noticeable to the naked eye. Things to look for include caulk that is cracked, spots of rust on flashing, shingles with imperfections (buckling, curling, or blistering), any missing, cracked or broken shingles, and cracked or generally worn rubber around the vent pipes. If you notice any of these things, your home’s roof may even be subtly leaking is in need of urgent roof leak repair. Another sign that suggests your roof is decaying from underneath the outer layer is the appearance of masses of moss and lichen. It isn’t uncommon to see black algae stains on your roof, but luckily these are just cosmetic imperfections that you don’t need to worry about.
Sometimes our roof doesn’t just need general repair but is actually arriving at the point where it needs complete Northern Virginia roof replacement. If you have roof tiles made of asphalt, and spot piles of colored grit that have fallen into the gutters during your roof inspection, it’s time to think about making arrangements for a new roof. This is because these granules act as a protective layer which shields the roof tiles from the potentially damaging rays of the sun, so if they have worn off, your roof is vulnerable to disrepair caused by harmful UV rays.
Have a question or interested in learning more about Northern Virginia roof repair? Check out our blog for other helpful tips or contact us today to schedule an in-person, no obligation consultation with our roof repair contractors.