If you are a new homeowner, congratulations! Owning a home is one of life’s biggest and most joyful accomplishments, and responsibilities. It’s also one of life’s largest investments, and one that needs safeguarding.
As a homeowner, you need to know how to maintain all aspects of your new home, including your home’s roof. The roof is one of the most important aspects when it comes to the safeguarding of the structure of your home, but it is one that many homeowners don’t think about until it is too late.
Here are five important pieces of roofing information that all new homeowners should be aware of in order to help avoid potential risk of damaging leaks, or worse.
1. Have Your Roof Professionally Inspected
You should consider scheduling a roof inspection either before, while, or as soon as you settle into your new home. Although your home was inspected before you bought it, sometimes the home inspector doesn’t climb onto the house to give the roof a proper thorough inspection. Several roofing complications can only be discovered during a thorough and up-close assessment. Things that might indicate you need a new roof include balding shingles, soft spots on the roof, or even slight sagging in places. If left untreated, these roofing hazards can lead to costly damage down the road.
2. Plan for Ongoing Maintenance
Once your roof has been inspected, you should not just forget about it. You should schedule regular roof repair and maintenance in order to proactively protect your new home from damage. This is especially important in areas prone to severe weather conditions.
Finding a roofing professional you can trust to regularly inspect and maintain your roof can be challenging. You should meet with any potential contractor in person and be sure to request a review of their license and insurance information. Inquire about the previous experience and qualifications of your potential roof contractor. A reputable roofing professional will be willing and prepared to answer any and all questions you might have.
3. Get Educated About Your Roof
Once you select a roofing contractor to regularly maintain your roof, ask to be educated and informed about any leak-prone parts of the roof, and how you might inspect and maintain them on your own. Knowledge is the best weapon of defense you can have when it comes to fighting to protect your new home from potential damage. Your roofing system is more complicated than you might imagine, so ask and learn.
4. Know Your Options
If it comes to repairing your roof, you should be aware of the many options you have in contractors and roofing choices. Roofing systems come with a variety of designs and materials, so it pays to know the best choices for the needs of your home and budget. Learn the pros and cons between asphalt shingles, metal roofing and other options. Then, once you know your material options, consider your options in roofing professionals. When possible, you should request referrals for local professionals, and always seek contractors who have the necessary insurances and certifications and who understand all the local building codes and regulations. And, always ask for a warranty to protect your wallet down the road if any issues come up later.
5. Warranties Make a Difference
If you are repairing your roof or installing a new roof, be sure to get a warranty to protect you from any potential liability. The contractor working on your roof should always offer a warranty. If you choose the right professional, a warranty isn’t likely to be used anytime soon. However, roofing installation or manufacturing errors can occur, and having a warranty will protect your wallet down the road.
Conclusion
In Southeastern Michigan, Vote 4 the Best 2021-22 Winner, Ripcord Construction has been a high-quality, caring roofing contractor for nearly 15 years of proven local roofing experience and is ready to address all of your roofing and/or construction needs. Using only premium materials and backing work with lifetime warranties, there’s no better place to turn if you are a new homeowner with questions about your roof. Call or click to start your FREE ESTIMATE today!
