Roofers in Northern Virginia will agree that maintaining the roof is an important endeavor and a daunting one too. Without the roof, there would be no shelter from the elements and people would be left out in the cold due to lack of proper insulation. Maintaining the roof is a lot of work, but it is worth it, in the end. Here are the top ten tips for Northern VA roofing.
- Clean out the gutters and the roof itself
Cleaning out the gutter can prevent water from building up and ruining your roof. Not only that but having your roof cleaned now and then would lessen any damage the debris on it does and would keep your roof in tip-top shape. Whenever you get the time, find a Northern Virginia gutter contractor to clean out the gutters and the roof. It will pay for itself later.
- A leaky roof is more than just a leak
Leaks cause a lot of damage to the roof and the household itself. Usually, when there is a leak, it is a sign that water has penetrated the roof and is now harboring all sorts of aerial bacteria and can create mold, mildew, and rot. It may also leave behind unsightly streaks of algae on the roof, which doesn’t do anything but make the roof look ugly. When fixing a leak, it is better to check around the roofing area to make sure there are holes in it. You would probably need a Northern Virginia roof repair contractor to help fix your roof if there are any leaks.
- Never place new shingles on top of old ones
This has been done in the past many times before, but nowadays roofers in Northern Virginia say that doing that is a bad idea. The old shingles underneath will wear down the new shingles on top, along with the weather, and you’ll end up with a bad spot on your roof if you’re not careful. Always remove the lower layer of shingles first before installing the new ones, that way the old ones won’t get in the way. Here are some ways to tell when you need to replace your shingles.
- Replace your roof when you feel it is “too old”
Your roof may look pristine on the outside, but roofs can get old. Though they have a long life, roofs are subjected to the elements and will keep on having problems the older they get. To combat this, get a new roof if you feel that your old roof isn’t holding up anymore. It may be expensive if the roof doesn’t look that bad, but it’s better to buy a new roof in the long run to avoid having problems in the future.
- Don’t do it yourself
While it might seem like a good idea at the time, due to being “cheaper,” fixing the roof yourself is a really bad thing. For one, you can get hurt if you slip off the ladder or the roof. For another, the repair you made may be a temporary solution for a long-lasting problem. It is hard to judge how extensive the damage is unless you do a thorough search on your roof, but even when you have figured it out, it might be too much for you to handle. Always get a Northern VA roofing contractor to do the work, they are far more experienced and can spot the little things quickly.
- No door to door roofers
After a storm, some roofers in Northern Virginia go around to each house in a neighborhood, literally knocking on your door. Then they try to pressure you into having them fix your roof. Don’t listen to them and politely tell them that you do not need their services. Usually, door-to-door roofers in Northern Virginia don’t do a good job of repairing the roof. They might even unintentionally cause damage to the roof due to lack of care.
- Choosing someone local
When choosing the right roofer in Northern Virginia, you may want to choose someone who is close by. Finding someone in, say, Delaware might not be the most ideal, for it could take a long time for them to even get to your area. So choose one that is nearby and credible, that way they can fix the problem quicker than someone from another state, or even another city.
- Listen to neighbors and family when it comes to choosing a roofing contractor
Usually, you want to find out the credibility of a roofer in Northern Virginia. Asking around is the best way to get recommendations. Listen to what your neighbors have to say and commit it to memory. You’ll be able to narrow down the list of possible Northern VA roofing contractors until you find one that is right for you. Take the time to listen and you are guaranteed a shiny new roof.
- Check the Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau, or BBB, is there to help you by posting reviews on a certain company you are interested in. With their reviews come other people’s reviews, saying how good or bad a company is when it comes to the job they do. Check the BBB if you’re stuck on which Northern VA roofing contractor to pick, most of the time the BBB has both good and bad reviews for you to, well, review. Pick the one that is the most credible and you’re good to go!
- Don’t say you are interviewing many contractors
When you call for a contractor, you’ll want to say that you are looking around, but will only view a handful of Northern VA roofing contractors. This way, you can make a lot of calls to determine who is the best in the business and not have to worry about choosing the wrong one. On that note, saying you are not seeing many contractors means that they won’t skimp out on the details. When you feel that you have enough possible places to go, pick one. Interview with them to see if they’re good. If not, then move on to the next.
