Home Improvement

The Best Practices For Roof Repair & Installation

Installing a new roof is a significant improvement to your home. No homeowner would want to repeat the process every 5-6 years. That is where the best practices for roof repair come in handy. There many things to consider when installing or repairing a roof. The best way to install a quality roof is to use proven installation methods and high-quality material for the project. This article provides information on the best practices for roof repair.

When you install a roof, you should be able to predict the lifespan of the product. The warranties stipulated by the roof shingle manufacturer and the professional roofer play an essential part in this regard. These are two distinct warranties which have different liabilities by two different parties. There are many things that you need to consider when it comes to the best practices for roof repair. Here are some methods that you should be aware of when hiring a roof repair contractor for the job. That way you can get the best return on your investment while getting a quality job done at the same time.

Tearing off the old roof – Although some local codes would allow the installation of new roofing shingles over the old shingles, this is not the best practice when it comes to roof repairs or installation. In case the old shingles are curved and not flat, the new shingles won’t fit properly. This can lead to many issues over time. That is why you should insist on tearing off the old roof before installing a new roof on your house. On the other hand, when you tear off the old roof, the underneath sheathing will be exposed. The contractor can inspect the deck and flash to check whether they should be replaced or repaired before installing the new shingles. This is a good practice when installing or restoring an old roof.

It is essential to prepare the roof deck before installing new shingles. The contractor should take a close look at the roof deck and see if there is any decay. If there is decay, he should replace the sections where needed. If you have an older home, the deck is most probably created with spaced boards. You should fill the gap of such decks with suitable materials with the same thickness before installing the new shingles. Make sure to check the surface of the deck for protruding fasteners or any other sharp items. These items could tear the underlayment and cause the new shingles to not lie flat on the roof. On the other hand, the contractor should check the nailing pattern on the roof to see if it meets the current standards in your area. These are some of the most important things to consider when repairing or installing a roof.

The best roofing practices begin with finding a roof repair contractor in your area. In fact, with hundreds of contractors operating in the area, choosing the right one isn’t an easy task. Your extensive research becomes so important when doing so. A search on Google may reveal a list of contractors operating in the area. Make sure that you do the necessary background checks before selecting the right roofing contractor for the job. By taking these steps, you’ll save time and money in the process.

Installing or repairing a roof is a significant investment for the average homeowner. That is why it is essential to follow the best practices at all times.

CONTINUE READING
Home Services

Roof Replacement Tips

Your roof is one of the most critical aspects of a house, and it should be in the best possible condition. If your roof is in poor condition, then it can end up compromising the integrity of your home. The cost of replacing a roof can be one of the most expensive replacements, and this is why people are always looking to save money in this process. It is essential to take good care of your roof so it can have a longer life, saving you a lot of money in the process. Below are some roof replacement tips that will go a long way.

A “roof over”

The cost of replacing a roof is high, and this is why some people prefer to re-roof or “roof over.” This is where you place the new shingles over the old ones. While you will be able to save a lot of money in the process, the potential problems outweigh the benefits. Doing this can reduce the life of the shingles because there will be a buildup of heat and problems with moisture. There is also the risk with the decking under that has not been uncovered or repaired. You should check the warranty so you can avoid loss of coverage because you did a roof over.

Measuring the size of your roof

When you hire a roofing contractor, they will come and measure your roof before providing you with an estimate basing it on the number of squares of roofing materials that are going to be used. A square is used to describe material that is needed to cover one hundred square feet, so a 2,000 square feet surface will have 20 squares. You can use the same type of measurement to arrive at a rough estimate of the roof replacement.

Ventilation

Proper ventilation will play a significant role in extending the life of your roofing. You should make sure that the roof has adequate ventilation to modulate the temperature in the attic during the summer and reducing the buildup of moisture during the winter. You should find out from the contractor the kind of venting that is right for your roofing for it to last a lifetime.

Repairing the wood under the shingles

The work of a roof repair professional is not only the removal of old shingles but also making the repairs needed on the underlying wood. Make sure that these repairs have been addressed and should even be included in the agreement. There is no need to spend more money later on something that could have been done during roof replacement. It is never a good idea to place new shingles over faulty wood because it will affect the life of the new roofing materials, which will cost you a lot in the long run.

Using the above roof replacement tips will help you increase the life of your roofing and ensure that everything is done right to prevent spending money on something that could have been avoided.

CONTINUE READING
Home Services

How to Find a Plumber in an Emergency

How to Find a Plumber in an Emergency

Sometime while being the owner of a home you’ll need to call a plumbing technician, and it’s very likely going to be an emergency when it happens. Nobody appreciates having a flooded basement or clogged pipes while you are not sure who you can call to fix them. Plumbing emergencies aren’t fun but here are some suggestions to help you find the right plumber for the job.

1. Hire a Pro!

Professional plumbers will get the job finished with less mess and damage in your house. Everybody has a handy friend or family member, but they aren’t professionally qualified. What may appear like a very simple and easy fix could very easily turn into a really expensive headache. Professional plumbers stay current in plumbing technologies and understand how to resolve your issue with minimal invasion to your property. Living without getting to use your bathroom for several weeks because of a poor job is not acceptable.

Just how do you know they are competent? You should ask to see paperwork such as the necessary licenses and insurance. They should also have a telephone that’s answered by a real person together with a web site. Here is how to tell if your plumber is licensed.

2. Get Recommendations!

You will find plumbing companies by looking through the yellow pages or by doing a Google search however you will still have to find out if they’re any good. You can always check with friends to find out if they have a plumber they might recommend to you. Ask about the situation, if the plumber was very good, was there an emergency, how much time did they have to wait.

If nobody has a recommendation for you don’t panic you can still check on the web for a plumber. There’s plenty of web sites on the internet that let you to check references or that make recommendations. You can check the Better Business Bureau in addition to websites like Google and Angie’s List.

An additional good signal to look at is the length of time the plumbing company have been operating. If a plumbing service have been in business for a long time then they’re doing good work. They are still around due to the fact they have given outstanding services.

3. Pay by the Job Not the Hour!

Nobody likes hidden fees and shocks on an invoice. You want to get a plumber that is going to charge you a flat rate for the entire job as opposed to a hourly rate. You should really get a free estimate before the works starts a reputable company will definitely provide one. Get in writing what the job will cost, the materials plus the cost of labor. Like any other services you want some sort of warranty or guarantee on the work completed so be sure you definitely understand the terms and conditions of the warranty.

Getting a plumber is not that difficult using a few of guidelines you will have your pipes running properly in no time.

CONTINUE READING
Home Improvement

3 Reasons You Need an Architect for Your Home Renovation

3 Reasons You Need an Architect for Your Home Renovation

Architects are trained and licensed professionals who work on various types of homes. An architect has been trained in designing, engineering and project management. They are trained in developing ingenious ideas about how to find solutions to integrated design problems and also seeing to it that a project is beautifully designed. When a good architect comes to handle your home renovation, the result will be far much better than normal home renovation.

Selecting the skilled architect for your home renovation is, therefore, necessary and everyone should understand the need for an architect for your home. The points below underpin 3 golden reasons you will derive.

They are the Masterminds

Trained architects pay keen attention to how you want your home renovation to be like. When you have hired an architect, they survey your house and decide the kind of necessary drawings or designing that’ll benefit it. Additionally, they understand very well that a one-man complex project will require several hands. They can choose to partner with a co-worker after they have sought out permission from the homeowner. They ensure that they’ve
delivered up to expectation.

Time Saving

You are not yourself an architect and for that matter may not know the types of materials needed for your home renovation. Going out to search for advanced home technologies or materials will consume a lot of your time. Instead, finding a professional architect will save time since he will know the right materials for the project. The skilled professional who is up-to-date with designing materials on the market will require less time on choosing revising the right materials. He goes out there to the best company to get these products for your home renovation.

Making You Feel Part of The Process

The skilled architect in general will be able to make clients (home owners) understand in brief the type of design they intend to renovate your home with. They always carry on them similar designs to show you in which case you will have to select one that suits your needs. This makes the homeowner feel part of the process as opposed to being a mere spectator. Needless to mention, these artists must also offer reasonable and competitive home remodeling rates that factor in the financial capabilities of the homeowner without compromising the quality.

The bottom-line is drawn with your home renovation when you have gone out there for the skilled architect. You will find that there would be no need of selling your home for a new one. Search for professionals and your home will look brand new all the time.

CONTINUE READING